The Trust identified the need for the renovation of the Rayleigh finger post as a project in 2007.

Essex County Council and Rochford District Council both denied responsibility for it, so the Trust requested a grant from Rayleigh Town Council, who promptly said that they would take over the renovation. No action was taken, however, so the Trust resumed the work of restoration itself.

Research carried out by the Trust revealed that the finger post once had a lantern on top of it. This had gone missing at some point after the Second World War. The Trust commissioned and installed a replica lantern, fitted with a small solar panel and timer to provide a glowing light for a few hours every night.