Landmarks on the A 4.

[patsyann]

When travelling on the A 4 between Chippenham and Newbury I always notice little white H shaped markers at intervals in the Fields always at a hedge boundary and sometimes in the fields on the other side of the road.I have always wondered what they mean.Have noticed them for many years
.Does anybody have the answer?

[vehelpfulguy]

H normally means Helicopters.

Could it be a place for the air ambulance to park so there is easy access to the road?

From above it must be difficult for an air ambulance to know where to land with access to the road.

[patsyann]

I dont think it is to do with helicopters.These markers go for miles and miles along the A4 and have been there for many many years.Nevertheless thank you for replying vehelpfulguy.

[buildersmate]

They mark where a pipe runs in the fields parallel to the road. Its probably a high pressure gas pipe but it could be oil. It far easier for the pipe layers to follow the line of a road (then cut across open country) because they can get access to bring the pipes in during installation.
The north side of the A4 also was the site of installation during the 1930s of part of the UK's underground network of Government oil pipeline. This section runs from Aldermaston to Bristol. Next time you do the run, watch out for an anomymous site of about 0.25 acres adjacent to the road, screened with trees. Its a remote pumping station for this oil-pipe - close to Bedwyn.

[patsyann]

buildersmate,Thank you so much for such detailed information.What a coincidence that we actually live in Tadley where AWE Aldermaston is situated.Will look out for the Bedwyn Copse next time we travel the A4.