Missing mileposts - part of our unique heritage is being stolen

These mileposts are unique, made of Sussex cast iron, each with a relief featuring a bow, a string of bells and a number marking the number of miles from the individual milepost to Bow Church in London.

Mileposts 44-54 also have a relief of the Pelham Buckle surmounting the bells, being in parishes where the Pelham family were prominent landowners.

The mileposts were put in place along the old road from Hailsham to East Grinstead by Turnpike Trusts in the eighteenth century, these trusts being formed then to improve the condition of roads.

Milepost 47 is not the only one along the A22 near Halland to have disappeared recently. No 49, located on the western verge just north of the Landrover garage disappeared a year or two ago and no 46 also on the western verge, opposite and just south of the Croxted Farm Hotel, shortly before that. All are marked as mileposts – MP – on OS Landranger map dated 2017.

In Hellingly, Parish milepost 53 disappeared during road works 17 years ago.

This is a trend which is unfortunate. These mileposts are a unique part of our heritage. We, as members of the public can always report any unexplained activity involving them, to East Sussex as the responsible highways authority and to the Police.

Are there no further measures that can be taken to prevent further loss.

Pat Blake

Church Path,

Hellingly