Ancient pole is to be replaced due to rotting

The top section of the historic marker – referred to as Stanedge Pole on Ordnance Survey maps - had to be removed for safety reasons after the wood rotted. Discussions have now begun to find the best way to replace the entire structure.

Standing on Hallam Moors, close to Stanage Edge, the pole marks the border of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire and dates back several hundred 
years.

It is on an ancient packhorse route known as Long Causeway and is also thought to have acted as a boundary marker for the parishes of Sheffield, Hathersage and Ecclesfield.

It is believed the pole was erected in the 14th century.

Stella McGuire, the Peak District National Park Authority’s member representative for cultural heritage, said: “This has been a familiar landmark for such a long time and we will be talking to local people about an appropriate replacement.

“We had no choice about removing the top section because it was a danger to the public, but it’s fair to say that it has been replaced a number of times over the years

“There are some wonderful archive photographs of the pole and it must have been a very important marker for travellers, especially at times when there was heavy snow on the ground.”