These are used:
- Where there are no suitable objects on which to paint waymarks.
- For marking particular new routes, such as nature trails.
- As confirmatory markers, particularly on long distance and recreational routes.
Posts can either be:
- Without directional arrows, but positioned at junctions or changes in direction. The Forestry Commission use round posts with bands of colour to indicate different forest trails in some areas.
- With directional arrows. The provision of posts has to be carefully worked out in advance to get the sequence of arrows correct, as these are usually routed into the posts and painted in the workshop.
Posts are usually made of 100 x 100mm hardwood such as oak or chestnut, or preserved softwood. Much more substantial posts of 250 x 250mm may be necessary where posts attract vandalism. Close-grained wood such as oak gives a crisper outline to routed letters and symbols, but oak fades to a pale grey which is not always sufficiently conspicuous. A dark coloured stain can be used, as this gives a better contrast to the painted symbols. American white oak from managed plantations has been used in East Cumbria and elsewhere. This routs very cleanly and is durable. In the past, iroko was used, but produces an unpleasant dust when routed, and is more likely to come from unmanaged forests. Softwood is not suitable in exposed upland and coastal locations where it is not sufficiently durable. Specially made stone signs (see below), recycled gritstone kerb stones or similar are increasingly being used for durability and resistance to vandalism. The waymarking arrow can be cut by a stonemason, together with other details such as destination or distance as required.
The fixing of the post depends on the type of ground and whether vandalism is anticipated. Posts must be fixed securely to resist rubbing by stock. The hole must be bored or dug as posts cannot be driven in without damage. Vandalism is discouraged by fixing cross bars to the base of the post, but this requires digging a larger diameter hole in order to fit the post in place. The strongest cross bars are made by knocking metal pipe through pre-drilled holes. Any type of metal pipe is suitable, and can easily be obtained from scrap merchants. Alternatively, 150mm nails can be used.
Basic designs are shown below. The height of the post should be chosen to suit the terrain and the vegetation.
