Millennium Milepost in King Street to be repainted

The marker was installed in King Street, Norwich, in 2000 to celebrate the creation of the National Cycle Network, part of which runs diagonally through the city. 

The roughly two-metre tall post is made from cast iron and has been unpainted until now. 

As part of an initiative to upgrade the nation's 1000 mile markers, cycling charity Sustrans is hiring local artists and volunteers to give them a new lick of paint. 

The Millennium Milepost is located at the top of King Street in Norwich (Image: Leah Spagatner)

This includes Chrissie Brightmore and Ally McClagish who are members of the MXpeg community in Mile Cross and who also run the Crafty Hearts Art group at the Phoenix Centre. 

Ally said: "When Sustrans approached us to see if we were interested in painting one of their milepost markers we were only too happy to get involved.

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"The top has been painted gold, representing a crown, and the red colours below represent the vibrant red and brown ‘tawny’ hair of Boudica.

"The Milepost also has the mileage to Fakenham which has been painted in honour of the town’s historical industry of printing books.

Chrissie Brightmore and Ally McClagish have been commissioned by Sustrans to paint the marker (Image: Leah Spagatner)

"The next section of the post is Norwich, represented by stripes dedicated to the famous Norwich Market rooftops and further down is a silhouette of the Norwich Cathedral."

The first post to be commissioned was designed by Brighton-based Jon Mills, entitled The Fossil Tree.

King Street's marker is called The MColl, one of four final designs which also include The Rowe and The Dudgeon. 

It is being painted in several themes to represent Norfolk's heritage (Image: Leah Spagatner)

Sustrans project officer Leah Spagatner said: "The painting of the marker has been attracting a lot of attention already. 

"Local businesses like Last Pub Standing and Bier Draak have been so supportive and people of all walks of life have been taking an interest. 

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"Chrissie and Ally have come up with a smashing design."

And leading members of the city's cycling scene also felt it was time the marker saw some renewed love.

The chairman of the Norwich Cycling Campaign said the marker was in need of doing up (Image: Newsquest)

Peter Silburn, chairman of Norwich Cycling Campaign, said: "The markers have obviously been around since the year 2000 and some of them are getting a bit faded so it's really nice to see this one being refurbished." 

Despite there being around a thousand markers nationwide, very few authorities made arrangements to maintain them into the future. 

Sustrans have since taken responsibility and are working to breathe new life into those that it owns. 

Peter added: "There's plenty of talent in the city so it's great that they're using local artists and referencing local sights for the updated design."

The painting will be finished in the coming weeks (Image: Newsquest)

"King Street is also a really good route for cycling and takes people out to Whitlingham where there is another milepost and then all the way down to Dover, I believe, so it's absolutely fantastic.

"It's precisely the sort of facility we need to see on streets to make them more friendly for cyclists. 

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"We just need some more of them in Norwich."

Mark Watkins, director of e-Velo, an electric bike store that has just opened in the Royal Arcade, said, "Anything that encourages people to cycle instead of driving has to be a good thing.

Mark Watkins, owner of the e-Velo electric bike shop in the Royal Arcade is supportive of the initiative (Image: Denise Bradley)

"We need to make cycling more accessible with better signposting, more continuous cycle lanes, improved routes and create a better environment for bikes and motorised vehicles to share the road safely.

"As cycling enthusiasts ourselves, we wholeheartedly support this initiative that puts cycling further up the agenda as a safe mode of transport."

The painting of the marker is due to be completed in the coming weeks.