Milestone Outside No 279

BIDDULPH

1915/0/10030 CONGLETON ROAD 29-JUL-08 Milestone outside No 279

II A gritstone milestone of c.1770. It is triangular on plan with ramped corners at either side and this is believed to be a unique feature of milestones in the Biddulph area. Each roadside face reads "To" and "Miles", Ordnance Survey maps show that the stone formerly bore wording recording 3 miles to Congleton and 9 1/2 miles to Newcastle-under-Lyme which was defaced in 1940 as an official measure in case of invasion.

HISTORY: The milestone was erected by the New Biddulph Turnpike Trust. It was possibly formerly dated 1770.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION: The milestone at Congleton Road, Biddulph is designated at Grade II, for the following principal reasons: * An example of a late C18 milestone, showing the expansion of the road network at a time prior to the 1773 general Turnpike Act, which made recording the mileage compulsory * The milestones on this route reflect the standardisation of roads and the introduction of turnpikes to facilitate the transport needs of the increasingly industrial landscape of C18 Staffordshire * The defacing of the stone in 1940 as a measure to counter invasion is itself significant * Group Value with other milestones on this turnpike road.