Transport – Metric Views

Two surprises from 1970

Metric Views remembers two announcements made over 50 years ago that came as a surprise to many.

A book review that was recently recently drawn to our attention describes how Britain lagged behind other countries in discovering “the joys of electricity”. We are struck by parallels with the UK’s metric conversion.

Road speed units mix-up could have been fatal

We begin the year with a cautionary tale – a recent incident that highlights a possible consequence of the UK’s ongoing measurement muddle.

Progress on metrication of the British rail network

Ronnie Cohen passes on an update on this topic that he has recently received from the UK Department for Transport.

Official thinking behind e-scooter mph speed limit

Following the recent Metric Views article about the miles per hour (mph) speed limits for e-schooters, Ronnie Cohen wrote to his MP about the issue. Ronnie now reports on the responses that he has received, and adds his comments.

Government’s blank cheque for HS2

A reader with a long memory might recall that Philip Hammond, when Transport Secretary, turned down on the grounds of cost a proposal for providing metric height restriction signs on all bridges over highways. The estimate may have been around £2million. Ronnie Cohen compares this and other costs of converting road traffic signs with the cost of HS2.

Where are metric units legal on British roads?

In response to readers’ comments about the legal status of metric units on British roads, Ronnie Cohen has written a summary which he hopes will clarify the situation.

Our awkward vehicle specifications

Ronnie Cohen looks at some consequences for the motorist of the UK’s measurement muddle.

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	Metricmac on Two surprises from 1970
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	Metricmac on Two surprises from 1970

Category: Transport