Category Archives: Road signs

DfT prefers imperial units to pedestrian safety

Posted on 2010-07-09 by Erithacus

Signs indicating the emergency escape routes in tunnels are of critical importance to the safety of tunnel users, given the particular hazards of fire and smoke within tunnel environments. Sadly, the government’s irrational position on units of measure even extends … Continue reading →

Posted in Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

60 km Jubilee Greenway to be signed in imperial

Posted on 2010-06-11 by Erithacus

On 9th June 1977, the Queen officially opened the Silver Jubilee Walkway, a 21 km walking trail around central London to mark her Silver Jubilee, or 25 years on the throne. Thirty-three years later, work is under way to celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The UK has a new Government. So what?

Posted on 2010-05-13 by derekp

Metric Views reported a few days ago on the mixed fortunes of some of the parliamentary supporters and opponents of a single system of measurement for the UK. This produced several comments about the prospect of a new Government.

Posted in General, Road signs | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

DfT imperialists waste more taxpayers’ money

Posted on 2010-04-05 by Erithacus

The Department for Transport, who once described metrication of road signs as “a waste of taxpayers’ money”, have themselves been condemned by a House of Commons Select Committee for wasting £71 million on building 66 motorcycle testing stations in order … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Crazy proposal to raise speed limits above speed limiter settings

Posted on 2010-04-02 by Isaac

As a bizarre consequence of the failure to switch to metric speed limits, the Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing to raise the motorway speed limit of coaches and buses from 60 mph (96.6 km/h) to 65 mph (104.6 km/h). That’s 4.6 % faster … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Imperial confusion on new tunnel signs

Posted on 2010-03-26 by Erithacus

Transport for London (TfL) was today criticised by the UK Metric Association (UKMA) for bungling the erection of new signs at the Rotherhithe tunnel, including banning all vehicles over 33 inches long from using the tunnel – and for wasting … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Is the DfT part of the Government?

Posted on 2010-03-05 by Erithacus

The Transport Department’s refusal to comply with Government policy on metrication is the biggest remaining obstacle to completing the metric changeover.  But how can the DfT defend this example of non-joined-up government?

Posted in Road signs, Transport | 20 Comments

Signs review disregards Welsh road users

Posted on 2009-11-01 by Isaac

The Department for Transport (DfT) is failing to address the needs of Welsh road users, and international traffic, when considering road sign designs in its Traffic Signs Policy Review.

Posted in Law, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

End of imperial-only restriction signs

Posted on 2009-10-10 by Isaac

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced its intention to finally end the use of imperial-only width and height restriction signs on Britain’s roads.

Posted in Law, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

Chaos comes to National Cycle Network signs

Posted on 2009-10-09 by Isaac

In an apparent admission that cycle route signs showing distances in miles are not meaningful to cyclists, the Department for Transport is proposing to allow authorities the option of using signs that show journey times in hrs and mins instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Road signs, Transport | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments