As promised here is the response to my letter to the council asking if I could buy the lamppost (being replaced) from outside my house.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear ???
XXX Council maintains the footways and carriageways on behalf of the Highway Authority (XXX County Council). I am therefore constrained to apply the latter organisations deternmined policies and standards and work within its budgetary allocations.
Unfortunately you will be unable to purchase an old lamp post column. The columns are stored for re-use in Conservation areas around the XXX Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The absurdity of this response is truly staggering. For one thing they are removing a lamppost from its **original setting** and putting it in a "Conservation" area! I wish there was some way these jobsworths could be removed from office - not this guy personally - but the whole rotten edifice.