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Dear Robin:
Thank you so much for your informative
reply.
The one positive bit that I read into your message
is that nowhere is it indicated that metric units are illegal on road signs (as
claimed by the BWMA and perhaps others).
Does the UKMA intend to get the nose of the camel
into the tent by getting official clarification that metric signage (even metric
ONLY signage) is permitted? (I realize the full-blown battle of replacing all
Imperial signs will have take some time,)
Best wishes,
Ezra
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 7:08
AM
Subject: Re: [USMA:31720] Road
metrication in Ireland
Ezra
This report is quite inaccurate.
The sum quoted officially is EUR 9 million, plus
EUR 2 million for a publicity campaign. The number of signs is 58 000
new or replacement signs. See the Irish Government website at http://www.gometric.ie/faq.html,
which gives details of the changeover.
When the EU Directive (the Units of Measurement
Directive) was renegotiated in 1989, the UK and Ireland were granted a
derogation allowing them to continue to use miles, yards, feet and inches
for "road traffic signs, distance and speed measurement" ... "until a
date to be fixed by those states". By that time, Ireland had already
begun to amend its distance signage, but the British Government took the view
(and still does) that they can postpone the date indefinitely. Although
we believe that the UK is acting illegally in not even fixing a date (leaving
aside what that date should be), we understand that there is little or
no pressure from the European Commission (the administration which runs
the EU) to comply with the Directive.
You can get further information, including
appropriate links to the relevant European and UK legislation, from our
website at www.ukma.org.uk.
Robin Paice
Chairman, UKMA
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 9:38
PM
Subject: Re: [USMA:31720] Road
metrication in Ireland
I've excerpted the bit from the Irish Times
article about why the metrication of speed limits was being
implemented.
Don't the same issues apply to the UK? Perhaps
someone from the UKMA can respond.
Ezra
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 10:17
AM
Subject: [USMA:31720] Road
metrication in Ireland
Irish Times, Friday December 24,
2004
Conversion to
kilometres will mean a reduction in speed
limits
The changeover to
metric road signs from January 20th is expected to cost around â30
million. The move will mean the installation of up to 35,000 new signs
across the country. Metric speed limits are required under a
European directive dating back to 1980 which maintained that the use of
different measurement systems hindered trade.
At the time, the
government was allowed a limited transition period.
 The Irish
Times
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