Milepost

ILKLEY

710/0/10024 SKIPTON ROAD 13-FEB-09 Milepost

GV II Milepost, C19, cast iron on a shaped stone backing post, set on the side of the A65 at a junction with a minor road.

The iron post is triangular with a sloping top, and a semi-circular headed plate above, all fixed to a stone in the same shape. Black lettering on a white background.

Inscriptions read to the right: ILKLEY/ 1 1/2 MILES// OTLEY/ 7 1/4 MILES To the left: BOLTON/ BRIDGE/ 4 MILES/ SKIPTON/ 8 MILES To the top: SKIPTON & OTLEY/ ROAD/ ILKLEY

HISTORY: Cast iron mileposts were introduced in the C19, often replacing earlier stones. The new County Councils were given responsibility for main roads in 1888, and West Riding Council replaced most of the mileposts on its routes. This post first appears on the 1891 edition OS map when it is also marked as a bench mark and is in a slightly different position, apparently moved when the adjacent railway line was removed.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The milepost at Leeds Road, Ilkley is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Dating to c.1888, this is a well preserved milepost in its original position. * It demonstrates an important phase in the development of the road network, marking the transfer of responsibility from local councils and turnpike trusts to the new County Councils. * It has group value with two other mileposts of the same type and date along this main road.