Call For Metric Road Sign Switch

spaman · 28-02-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemerle

Anyone think we might be forced to drive on the right eventually??

It's an utter certainty, given the level of homoginsation going on, and it will be sooner rather than later

Wahoo · 28-02-2006, 06:21 PM

A change to driving on the other side is out of the question and will never ever happen.

Sheila · 05-03-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaman

So, we have yet another EU organisation planted in this country with us footing the bill for its costs, while it spouts EU propoganda:- UK Metric Association

It is not an EU organisation and it does not get any public funding

mkpdavies · 05-03-2006, 01:14 PM

The fact people like Huhne, Kinnock etc back it though, means it has very strong links if nothing else.

Sheila · 06-03-2006, 12:05 AM

Very strong links . . . with an ex-MEP and an ex-Commissioner.

That's a long way from it being an EU organisation!

spaman · 08-03-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

The fact people like Huhne, Kinnock etc back it though, means it has very strong links if nothing else.

Just wonder why they don't publish any details of sponsors........ they show supporters, but very few of these....... OK they get membership contributions...... but I can't imagine that is too high... or enough to keep them ticking over

Although they say the are unbiased politically, they certainly go with the EU flow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKMA

UKMA acknowledges that there is some irresponsible opposition to making the change but believes that, as in other fields, the Government could gain credit for persevering with its modernisation and reform programme in the face of uninformed and irrational opposition

...and I wouldn't say their information was strictly on the line:

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKMA

In 1971 the UK very successfully adopted decimal currency throwing aside the Roman-style ‘old money'. In 1965 it was decided also to replace Roman – style measures with metric and since then Britain has adopted metric in many walks of life. .......... ... Ultimately a complete conversion is inevitable.

The adoption of decimal currency was far from the success they state...... it triggerd massive inflation and cost us dearly

It is true that we suffer from two systems........ but why did metrication get halted if it was oh so good for us..?
I'm all for efficiency and ease of use........ but do not appreciate change for changes sake.

I can see benefits in retaining the unique imperial systems we still had/have...and would rather go back to a workable system, instead of more homoginisation

SGK · 08-03-2006, 09:52 AM

We don't suffer from having two systems, we benefit. We are the only country in Europe which can deal with two systems and has a choice (when permitted).
We suffer from a government that is trying to outlaw one system and its self-appointed mouth-pieces, such as the BBC in particular, which insist on using one system (i.e. metric) regardless of suitability or public desire.
It is not the dual system that is causing the problem, it is the attitude of the government and its supporters.

Besoeker · 19-03-2006, 10:45 AM

A late response from a newbie here.

As an engineer, I do pretty well all* calculations in metric (SI) units and, like many, I can see the merits of of its simple relationships and generally easier conversion factors.

But I have yet to see a single convincing argument that would justify the £800,000,000 or so it would cost to change UK road signs to metric. For all practical purposes the actual units are irrelevant as long as they are uniform and consistently applied.

*If I want to buy say, some copper bar, it should be a matter for me to agree with my supplier what units I want to use. If I wanted to extend an old system made to Imperial dimensions I would HAVE to use Imperial.

mkpdavies · 20-03-2006, 10:59 AM

Well said. I haven't got anything really against metric. Sometimes I use it, some times I use imperial, depending on which one I feel like. I still weigh myself in stones, I buy my grapes in pounds and I drive in miles (unless I'm abroad). I measure my room in CM's though and choice is what it's all about.

Spending that kind of money for zero real benefit would be a digrace and the fact Kinnockio backs it should be and alarm for everyone!

Do we really want every country to be the same as all the others? Part of the fun of a holiday is to get away from it all and do things differently. I like having different money to spend, different measurements, different customs and ways of doing things. The world is becoming a greyer place by the day.

Besoeker · 22-03-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

Well said. I haven't got anything really against metric. Sometimes I use it, some times I use imperial, depending on which one I feel like. I still weigh myself in stones, I buy my grapes in pounds and I drive in miles (unless I'm abroad). I measure my room in CM's though and choice is what it's all about.

Regrettably, it isn't always a matter of choice. Ask Steve Thorburn.

05-03-2006, 01:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,054 Party: Libertarian Party	The fact people like Huhne, Kinnock etc back it though, means it has very strong links if nothing else. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

20-03-2006, 10:59 AM	#19 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,054 Party: Libertarian Party	Well said. I haven't got anything really against metric. Sometimes I use it, some times I use imperial, depending on which one I feel like. I still weigh myself in stones, I buy my grapes in pounds and I drive in miles (unless I'm abroad). I measure my room in CM's though and choice is what it's all about. Spending that kind of money for zero real benefit would be a digrace and the fact Kinnockio backs it should be and alarm for everyone! Do we really want every country to be the same as all the others? Part of the fun of a holiday is to get away from it all and do things differently. I like having different money to spend, different measurements, different customs and ways of doing things. The world is becoming a greyer place by the day. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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28-02-2006, 06:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Wahoo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 175	A change to driving on the other side is out of the question and will never ever happen.

06-03-2006, 12:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 580	Very strong links . . . with an ex-MEP and an ex-Commissioner. That's a long way from it being an EU organisation!

08-03-2006, 09:52 AM	#17 (permalink)
SGK Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,237	We don't suffer from having two systems, we benefit. We are the only country in Europe which can deal with two systems and has a choice (when permitted). We suffer from a government that is trying to outlaw one system and its self-appointed mouth-pieces, such as the BBC in particular, which insist on using one system (i.e. metric) regardless of suitability or public desire. It is not the dual system that is causing the problem, it is the attitude of the government and its supporters.

19-03-2006, 10:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
Besoeker Uber Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,012	A late response from a newbie here. As an engineer, I do pretty well all* calculations in metric (SI) units and, like many, I can see the merits of of its simple relationships and generally easier conversion factors. But I have yet to see a single convincing argument that would justify the £800,000,000 or so it would cost to change UK road signs to metric. For all practical purposes the actual units are irrelevant as long as they are uniform and consistently applied. If I want to buy say, some copper bar, it should* be a matter for me to agree with my supplier what units I want to use. If I wanted to extend an old system made to Imperial dimensions I would HAVE to use Imperial.