Call For Metric Road Sign Switch

Westcountryman · 23-02-2006, 04:15 PM

I can almost guarantee that this would be manifestly unpopular.

Quote:

Call for metric road sign switch

Britain should set an early date for converting its road signs from miles to kilometres, a report by the UK Metric Association says.

The imperial signs are a "confusing" exception as most of the UK officially operates in metric measures, it claims.

It says conversion would make it easier to calculate fuel consumption and enable more finely tuned speed limits.

However, the government insists it has no plans to make the switch, which would be a "waste of taxpayers' money".

The UKMA says conversion of road signs was originally intended as part of metrification when it started in 1965 and should have been completed by 1973.

But it was put on hold in 1970 and never restarted.

Irish example

UKMA chairman Robin Paice said: "The Irish have shown how easily, safely, and economically it can be done. The British government should just get on with it."

Ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock, who is backing the report, says the UK's imperial signs contradict its modern image.

In an introduction to the report, he says: "Our imperial road signs are perhaps the most obvious example of the muddle of measurement units in the United Kingdom.

"They contradict the image - and the reality - of our country as a modern, multicultural, dynamic place where the past is valued and respected and the future is approached with creativity and confidence."

He said the conversion could be completed in time for the 2012 Olympics if the report's recommendations were followed.

But the AA Motoring Trust said a "key flaw" in any planned conversion lay in the fact that car speedometers still mainly measured miles per hour.

Paul Watters, head of roads and transport policy at the trust, said: "A move to make UK road signs metric will take far longer than five years.

"Any precipitous changeover will create confusion, danger and anger, particularly where misunderstanding leads to prosecution for road traffic offences, such as speeding."

The trust said a solution could be to have signs showing both measurements during a transition period of a number of years.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said it had "absolutely no plans" to change the signs - a move which she said would cost several million pounds.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4741894.stm

mark starr · 23-02-2006, 05:17 PM

If you go to the BBC site click on "Have your say".
Alternatively send an e-mail to Blair at www.pm.gov.uk/output/page821.asp

brian pearson · 24-02-2006, 12:05 PM

Only Europe could embrace a failure like Kinnock.

mkpdavies · 24-02-2006, 01:08 PM

They are just tesing the water. There is no benefit in wasting all that money on it. I drive abroad all the time. You would have to be a moron to be confused or Neil Kinnock.

eublues · 24-02-2006, 01:40 PM

It's coming, just a matter of political opportunity - the cost is irrelevant if it's one more way of making feel we are locked in to the EU.

They are already using kilometres for new signposts for footpaths.

Wahoo · 24-02-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eublues

It's coming, just a matter of political opportunity - the cost is irrelevant if it's one more way of making feel we are locked in to the EU.

They are already using kilometres for new signposts for footpaths.

I think your local authority may be breaking the Law if they are doing so.

mkpdavies · 24-02-2006, 05:53 PM

Yes, take pictures and demand they are changed. Tell them you don't understand metric.

spaman · 26-02-2006, 06:05 PM

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

As a matter of course, UKIP should advise all concerned via the media, when such 'organisations' publicise their ideas, that it does not represnt any views other than the EU...

We should disband and kick these trojan horses out of our country, for they are fouling the discussion and feeding false information around..

:evil:

Bluemerle · 26-02-2006, 08:40 PM

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

Wahoo · 26-02-2006, 08:44 PM

Uh,oh, iv'e always done that.

ops:

24-02-2006, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,053 Party: Libertarian Party	They are just tesing the water. There is no benefit in wasting all that money on it. I drive abroad all the time. You would have to be a moron to be confused or Neil Kinnock. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

24-02-2006, 05:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,053 Party: Libertarian Party	Yes, take pictures and demand they are changed. Tell them you don't understand metric. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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23-02-2006, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
mark starr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 642	If you go to the BBC site click on "Have your say". Alternatively send an e-mail to Blair at www.pm.gov.uk/output/page821.asp

24-02-2006, 12:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
brian pearson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nottinghanshire Posts: 753	Only Europe could embrace a failure like Kinnock.

24-02-2006, 01:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,122	It's coming, just a matter of political opportunity - the cost is irrelevant if it's one more way of making feel we are locked in to the EU. They are already using kilometres for new signposts for footpaths.

26-02-2006, 06:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
spaman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 892	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 As a matter of course, UKIP should advise all concerned via the media, when such 'organisations' publicise their ideas, that it does not represnt any views other than the EU... We should disband and kick these trojan horses out of our country, for they are fouling the discussion and feeding false information around.. :evil:

26-02-2006, 08:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bluemerle Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dorset. Posts: 3,252	Anyone think we might be forced to drive on the right eventually??

26-02-2006, 08:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wahoo Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 175	Uh,oh, iv'e always done that. ops: