Milestone to uncover Rayleigh’s history

Published by awalsh for Sanctuary Housing Association in Housing

Historians are being given the chance to delve further into Rayleigh’s past after a milestone, over 250 years old, was temporarily removed for safe keeping. 

The stone marker carries an English Heritage Grade II listing and has been moved while Rochford Housing carries out building works on a new housing development in Hockley Road.

As part of the project, Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass and The Milestone Society will be taking the opportunity to find out more about this unusual marker which has puzzled historians with its use of Roman numerals.

The stone will be put back in the ground once construction work on the housing development is completed by Rochford Housing, part of leading housing and care provider Sanctuary Group.

The housing, which is expected to be completed early next year, will provide 13 new apartments and houses for affordable rent or shared ownership.

Emma Keegan, Rochford Housing’s Managing Director, said: “We know that this milestone has become an important feature for the town, which is why we want to do all we can to make sure this stone is protected while building works take place.

“It is great that the local heritage group will get the chance to find out more about this stone and what it means for the history of the area.”

Mike Davies from Rayleigh Through the Looking Glass said: “This is a great opportunity for us to work with Sanctuary to maintain, preserve and protect our roadside heritage.

“It is not often that a milestone is removed and this is a good opportunity to fully examine it.  It is possible that this particular milestone may originally have faced the other way or it may even be upside down and we can only tell by looking at the bottom.  It may also have been re-engraved at some time in its history.”  

The Stratford House development has been funded by Sanctuary and the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.