Milestone 240M Nw Of Leeches

ST KEW

1867/0/10020 A39 01-OCT-10 Milestone 240m NW of Leeches

GV II Rectangular milestone with rounded top, dating from circa 1838. The milestone is painted white, and deeply and rather crudely inscribed '8/CAM' in sans serif capitals, painted black. The milestone has a horizontal crack beneath the inscription.

HISTORY: The Haleworthy Turnpike Trust was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1760, to cover a route between Wadebridge and Camelford. A more direct route established by the Bodmin Trust took traffic away from the Haleworthy Trust, resulting in its degradation until two stagecoach companies took to the route in 1835. In 1837, a new road route was surveyed along the river from Highway to Knightsmill Bridge for the Haleworthy Trust. The turnpike renewal Act of 1838 refers to the new line, and stated that the Haleworthy Trust was now to be known as the Camelford, Wadebridge and St Columb Trust. This milestone forms part of a run of seven which survive along the ten-mile stretch of the new route between Camelford and Wadebridge; they were erected as the road was constructed following the passing of the Act in 1838, so date from the late 1830s.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION: The milestone NW of Leeches is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * It is an intact example of a pre-1840 milestone, which retains its carved inscription * It has significance as part of an inter-related group of other listed milestones of the same type and date along this turnpike route * It is a good example of an early C19 milestone, illustrating the standardisation of roads and the introduction of turnpikes to facilitate the transport needs of the increasingly industrial landscape of C19 Cornwall