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Active Resistance to Metrication
66 Chippingfield,
HARLOW, Essex CM17 0DJ
Tel: 01279 635789
e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mobile 07835 716537
MEDIA RELEASE: Wednesday 22 February
9.00am
PHOTOS:
See
below
http://www.bwmaonline.com/Transport%20-%20Direct%20Action%20-%20photopage.htm
No Need for Britain's 1.5 million Road
Signs to go Metric
Active Resistance to Metrication (ARM) is best
known for a
vigorous
campaign to ensure that all 1.5 million signs
on British roads
stay
in Imperial measurements. Metric signs are
currently illegal on
British roads under the Traffic Signs Regulations
2002 (with the
exception of dual height and width signs, which
are permitted).
During the past 5 years, ARM activists have
successfully removed
or
amended over 2,000 illegal metric signs
across the country and
keep
an up-to-date gazetteer which logs every
single amendment.
Yesterday, ARM learnt that the U.K. Metric
Association was
planning
to issue a press release calling for
British distance, dimension
and
speed limit signs to be changed to
metric within 5 years.
If the media are covering this story, ARM
would like the chance to
respond and participate in any news item or
discussion on the
subject. Neil (Lord) Kinnock has now joined the
clamour for
metrication of British road signs. ARM Secretary Tony
Bennett, who
has a Geography degree, is known for his robust views and
his
combative and informed interview style and has frequently
been
interviewed on TV and radio on metrication issues. He is
available
for interview, along with ARM Chairman Derek Norman. Tony
was
found
guilty of theft in 2002 in relation to the removal of 40
illegal
metric signs in Kent. His conviction was overturned by
Maidstone
Crown Court on appeal.
Here is a summary of the
main points ARM relies on to oppose
metrication of British roads:
1)
The current system is simple and understood by all. The
latest survey
showed that 98% of people in thee U.K. understand
Imperial distances
and dimensions against only 29% understanding
metric
2)
The cost of converting an estimated 1.5 million road signs
would be at
least £1 billion [ £1,000,000,000]
3) In the latest consumer survey
of opinion on the issue,
carried out by ICM on 26 to 28 April 2002, 86%
wanted road and
footpath signs to stay in miles, yards, feet and inches
- as
against
only 8% wanting a change to metric - a majority of 11
to 1
4) As the Department of Transport has frequently
conceded,
metrication of roads signs could not happen gradually. To
avoid
confusion and unnecessary dual measurements on signs,
any
metrication programme would have to be accomplished
virtually
overnight - a logistical impossibility.
PHOTO
OPPORTUNITY
To emphasise its continuing campaign to eradicate all
illegal
metric
signs, ARM will later this week carry out a perfectly
legal
amendment of an illegal metric sign by changing it to
Imperial.
Further details from
ARM.
CONTACTS:
Tony Bennett, ARM Secretary
- 01279 635789 Mobile 07835 716537
Derek Norman, ARM
Chairman - 01480 435837
Harry Cichy, Press Officer - 01442
260590
Website: www.bwmaonline.com, click on `Metric Transport
Signs'
