A ‘LIFE-SAVING’ post situated on wild Dartmoor has been replaced thanks to the co-operation between walkers and the farming community.

The railway sleeper turned post-marker at the north end of Black Lane South, one of the ancient trackways of Dartmoor, has been replaced after almost 50 years of extreme weather had eroded the previous marker beyond recognition.

Situated in an area used only by experienced walkers and guides, the post marks one end of a peat pass through the desolate landscape of Cater’s Beam and Crane Hill, which connects the Erme Valley and Central Dartmoor.

Dartmoor guide and keen walker Richard Ware discovered the eroded post and soon learned of its significance. After speaking with a friend from Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock, Richard learned that the post had been used to mark the team’s way during life-saving scenes in fog and mist.

‘Last year I was dismayed to see that the north end post was rotting fast with barely three foot above ground and soon this important feature would be lost,’ said Richard, who moved to Devon in 1985.

‘One of the team members from Dartmoor rescue said that the post has probably saved lives over the years. People have been lost and have then seen the post and that it’s on the map and managed to find where they were — that’s why it needed to be replaced,’

‘I often saw this post as it’s on the way to Duckspool, which is one of the two hardest to reach letter boxes on Dartmoor, along with the one at Cranmere Pool.

‘It’s a significant post and when it’s gone it will become more risky for walkers as it’s a post which is something to navigate by for experienced walkers. I wanted to make it safer for them and it’s a significant point of reference.’

After receiving permission from The Duchy, Natural England, Dartmoor National Park Authority and the commoners, Richard purchased a railway sleeper and asked local farmer Neil Cole, who runs his stock out on Black Lane South, if he would get it to the location, as it would have been too heavy for one man to carry alone.

Richard said: ‘Neil readily agreed saying that walkers and farmers should co-operate and help each other, which is exactly as I think.

‘Once hearing that Neil had got the sleeper there on his quad bike, my son Henry and I, with wife Sue as photographer, walked out from Whiteworks with shovel and crowbar, took the old post out, put the new sleeper in the same hole and packed it around with granite stones.’

The previous post had ‘69’ etched on it and it is presumed it was put in place in 1969 and had been there for nearly 50 years.

‘I would like to think that the new post will be there for as long and be as useful a guide for all to see and use.’