With car ferries and, now, the Chunnel, it would seem to make good sense for road signs, vehicle instrumentation, road maps etc. in the British Isles to be harmonized with those on the continent. This would have safety and economic benefits. Of course, on the safety front, there is that [insurmountable?] issue of driving on the same side of the road. THAT is a tough one! The question of the U.S. changing over to SI highways is a similar proposition. Some have worried that 'harmonization' would mean Mexico and Canada adopting a non-standard set-up. Reasonable people would not propose such a move. Duncan
-----Original Message----- From: Ezra Steinberg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: February 22, 2002 11:03 Subject: [USMA:18341] Privatisation of British road network >Just saw this on the epolitix news summary. Seems like an opportune time >to include conversion of road signs to metric ... >Ezra > > >BYERS SET TO PRIVATISE ROAD NETWORK > > Stephen Byers is planning to privatise the main road network in >England, reports today's FT. > > Under the scheme, planning, supervision and maintenance work would be >handed over to private companies > who would then earn extra funds by reducing congestion and improving >safety. > > The Highways Agency intends to put a pilot project for one of its 14 >maintenance areas out to tender in two years > time. The agency said the new system would be more efficient because >contractors would enjoy a long term > "whole life" view which would mean higher quality work. > >
