Category Archives: Transport

Is the DfT part of the Government?

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 | 21 Comments

Why do nautical miles linger on?

I recently had an exchange of correspondence with an acquaintance (a former RAF pilot) who tried to explain to me why most of the world of aviation still uses nautical miles and knots rather than kilometres and km/h.  The explanation … Continue reading

Posted in General, History, Technical, Transport | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

Electric cars – an opportunity for SI, or a threat?

The arrival of electric cars on our streets will draw attention to measures for comparing performance.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Technical, Transport | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Signs review disregards Welsh road users

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

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

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

Traffic Signs Review produces INACTION plan

The Transport Department’s current review of traffic signs has so far avoided any mention of the “m” word and is likely to be a failure. UKMA has therefore produced its own proposals.

Posted in Road signs, Transport | 32 Comments

End Britain’s Great Imperial Rip-Off

In these uncertain times, the spending power of the pound in our pockets seems to be decreasing by the day, making it high time, in my view, to end the Great Imperial Rip-Off, and save British consumers from the cost … Continue reading

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, Health, Transport | 16 Comments

Metric campaigners unimpressed by poll findings

The UK Metric Association dismissed as “unrepresentative and old hat” the findings of an AA/Populus panel, showing that a large majority of AA members are opposed to metric road signs in the UK. (This press release was issued for use … Continue reading

Posted in General, Road signs, Transport | 29 Comments

All distances on London pedestrian signs to be shown in “minutes”

According to Legible London, an initiative led by Transport for London, all existing pedestrian direction signs in London will be replaced by 2015 with new wayfinding signs. The enamelled monolith-style signs will have maps as well as directions and distances … Continue reading

Posted in Road signs, Transport | 10 Comments