MSO10439 - Post-medieval milestone northeast of Harwood Cross (Monument)

'M.S.' and 'Minehead 6' shown on Ordnance Survey map of c1904. [1] Not shown on recent map. [2] The milestone is also shown on the 25 inch 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map. [3] The construction of the 14 miles or so of the A396 road from Timberscombe southwards to beyond the County boundary with Devon was authorized under the Turnpike Act of 1822 and completed by 1827. A total of twelve Ham stone milestones were erected on the western side of the road to a standard design with cast iron plates inscribed with incised lettering reading 6 miles to Minehead to 18 Miles to Minehead. A survey of roadside heritage on this section of the A396 was carried out in 1985 or 1986 and showed that ten milestones remained largely complete but with some damage to stonework and wear and tear. A new survey at the end of 2005 showed that four milestones had subsequently been removed or seriously damaged in the intervening years. This milestone was recorded as 1985: complete, but partly buried. 2005: stone recently broken off at ground level with a small part of the plate still attached removed from site for safe keeping and if possible reinstatement. [4] A project in 2006- 2007 was set up by Somerset Historic Environment Service to repair the surviving milestones and replace the missing milestones. A new stone and plate were installed. [5, 6]