Found this recent stuff on one of the BWMA sites (http://www.footrule.org.)
BRITISH WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ASSOCIATION
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KILL THE METRE
A BREAKTHROUGH FROM DoT
Following recent anti-metric activity concerning traffic and distance signs the
following has been received by a BWMA member.
This also includes a clear statement circulated to all local authorities
(below) which can be printed off from this site.
=================
Copy of a letter from DoT
Departmentfor Transport
JULIE KEISZKIEWICZ
Traffic Management Division
TM4
3/21
Great Minster House
76 Marsham St
London SW1P 4DR
John Gardner
British Weights & Measures Assn
29th July 2002
Dear Mr Gardner
Thank you for your letter of 13 July to David Jamieson. I have been asked to
reply.
As you are aware, an amending EU Directive in 1989 provided for the
continuation in use �� for specific purposes �� of a limited number of imperial
units, including the mile and yard for speed and distance measurements on
traffic signs. Rather than setting an express deadline the in Directive for
conversion of these units, it authorised their continued use until a date to be
fixed by the Member States concerned.
The position has been reviewed by successive Governments and the present
Government has no plans to use metric units for speed and distance on traffic
signs. The current position was explained in Mr Jamieson's reply to a
Parliamentary Question from Mr Parmjit Dhanda on 11 July:
⌠Although many drivers are familiar with metric units it would not be
appropriate to fix a date for converting speed limit and distance signs while
there is still likely to be a significant proportion of drivers for whom the
change could be potentially confusing.
The other remarks you quote as having seen in a newspaper report were not made
by Mr Jamieson and are not an accurate statement of the Department's position.
Ministers will continue to review the position from time to time. Meanwhile, I
enclose a copy of a letter which has been sent to Chief Executives of all
County Councils, Metropolitan District Councils, London Borough Councils,
Unitary Councils and District Councils in England, about the provisions of the
Traffic Signs Regulations in relation to use of metric and imperial units of
measurement.
Decisions as to whether the provisions and requirements of the Road Traffic
Regulation Act 1984 and TSRGD 1994 apply to particular signs in particular
locations involve questions of law which are a matter for the courts.
Diagram 669 is prescribed to give advance information about the nature of
restrictions or prohibitions, not show detailed dimensions. There is no
provision in TSRGD 1994 or the draft revised regulations for signs to diagram
669.1 to incorporate roundels showing metric height or width restrictions
only.
Yours sincerely,
Julie Kieszkiewicz
===============================
Copy of a circular from DoT to local authorities
Department for Transport
Traffic Management Division
Zone 3/17
Great Minster House
76 Marsham St
London SW1P 4DR
16 July 2002
TO:-Chief Executives of
County Councils, Metropolitan District Councils, London Borough Councils,
Unitary Councils and District Councils in England.
Dear Chief Executive
THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 1994 �� UNITS OF
MEASUREMENT.
In view of the recent publicity about a court case involving damage to road
works signs that showed distances in metres, you might find it helpful to have
the enclosed note summarising the provisions of the Traffic Signs Regulations
in relation to the use of imperial and metric units of measurement on traffic
signs.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Talbot
Head of Traffic Management Division.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 1994 �� UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
The Traffic Signs Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 1519 Part I) allow signs
displaying distances in imperial units only (miles or yards). Any sign which
incorporates metric distances in not a traffic sign within the meaning of
Section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 * and is not covered by the
power to place traffic signs conferred by section 65.
Section 65 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 permits traffic authorities
to place traffic signs on or near any road in their area. Section 142 of the
same Act defines 'road' as any length of highway or of any other road to which
the public has access*; the Act therefore covers privately owned roads to which
the public has access as well as highways maintained at public expense.
Designs for direction signs, including those to be used on public footpaths and
bridleways*, are specified in Schedule 7 of the Traffic Signs Regulations.
Distance plates for warning signs are specified in Schedule 1. Items 3 to 8 of
Schedule 16 provide for the distances shown on particular signs to be varied to
include fractions of miles, or to yards where the distance is less than half a
mile, as specified for the sign diagrams listed in those items in Schedule 16.
Guidance on detailed design is given in Chapter 7 of the Traffic Signs Manual,
available from the Stationery Office.
Direction 35 of the Traffic Signs General Directions 1994 (SI 1994 No 1519 Part
II) permits the use of signs indicating vehicle length or width restrictions in
metres but only if this restriction is also shown in feet and inches*. Signs
indicating height limit may show feet and inches only (diagram 629.2) or
imperial and metric limits together (diagram 629.2A).
* Our emphasis
Please print and circulate this to any local authority you choose.
Also available as a .doc file ( Microsoft Word) - click here to download as
a .doc file.
Design & Layout �\ S-Print 2001. Text copyright of individual contributors
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