Introduction
Somerset has a wonderful range of historic fingerposts, which remain as iconic landmarks in our countryside and represent tantalising reminders of the past.
The aim of the Somerset Fingerpost Restoration Project is for local authorities to work in partnership with the community to restore these iconic landmarks and return them to their former glory.
Somerset Council and the Southwest Heritage Trust have produced a handbook to provide all the information required to enable community groups to decide if they would like to take part in this valuable restoration project.
If you would like to become involved with this project then please contact your parish council or email fingerposts@somerset.gov.uk
The fingerposts handbook
You can find out more about the maintenance, repair and restoration of fingerposts in the Somerset Traditional Fingerposts Handbook:
There is an extensive section on health and safety guidance and training in the handbook. Please do not be put off by this, as its main purpose is to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users.
Training
We will be offering all volunteers highway safety awareness training in the form of a half-day local workshop. Only volunteers who have successfully completed this workshop will be allowed to carry out cleaning and painting work on fingerposts. There must be a minimum of two volunteers present on site when carrying out minor refurbishment and maintenance work on fingerposts.
Thank you for your interest in this project, and hopefully for your time and willingness to work in partnership with us to help to restore these iconic fingerposts.
Downloads
Risk Assessments Forms
- Risk Assessments
- TM 001 Lyme Disease and Weil’s Disease
- TM 002 Use of A frame ladders and step ladders
- TM003 Livestock, dogs, poisonous toxic plants, stings and bites
- TM003a Picture gallery of poisonous and toxic plants
- TM 004 Use of brushcutters and strimmers
- TM 005 Discovery of sharp needles and drug paraphernalia
- TM 006 Use of powered hand tools
- TM 007 Threatening behaviour verbal and or physical abuse dangerous sites
- TM 008 Parking vehicles alongside a public highway
- TM 009 Working near or close to steep gradients and inclines
- TM 010 Weather
- TM 011 Lone working
- TM 012 Trips and falls
- TM 013 Manual handling
- TM 014 Use of strong chemicals
- TM 015 Inhalation of dust and lead paint from use of abrasive paper
- TM 016 Use of powered pressure washers