What is it?

Went to pick  a friend up at Bridgefoot tonight to go to friendship club at Brigham, had to go the long way round with the road being closed, (good practice for my driving as I had to drive a few miles on the A66, not just the back roads, my arm was ok and I felt quite confident). 
This "thing" is opposite my friend's house, I think I was once told what it was used for, but I have forgotten, she thought someone had once told her it was something to do with tying up pit ponies. I don't know if it is in its original position or if it was put there after the little cul-de-sac  of pensioners bungalows were built.