We begin the year with a cautionary tale – a recent incident that highlights a possible consequence of the UK’s ongoing measurement muddle.
Continue reading “Road speed units mix-up could have been fatal”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.
Continue reading “Progress on metrication of the British rail network”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.
Continue reading “Official thinking behind e-scooter mph speed limit”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.
Continue reading “Government’s blank cheque for HS2”Light measurements
Martin Vlietstra, one of our frequent contributors, has written an article which he says deals with the metric system in use rather that looking at metrication per se.
Continue reading “Light measurements”Social distancing rules around the UK
Following on from our earlier post on social distancing, Ronnie has for praise for the BBC, fulfilling its duty to educate as well as to inform and entertain.
Continue reading “Social distancing rules around the UK”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.
Continue reading “Where are metric units legal on British roads?”Official BBC Measurement Policy
As we become used to metric measures for social distancing, Ronnie Cohen, one our frequent contributors, looks at the measurement policy of our national broadcaster. Apparently, it is the over 50’s who are responsible for the muddle.
Continue reading “Official BBC Measurement Policy”Our awkward vehicle specifications
Ronnie Cohen looks at some consequences for the motorist of the UK’s measurement muddle.
Continue reading “Our awkward vehicle specifications”Early parliamentary debates on metrication
Hansard provides many insights about the ideals of and the prevailing attitudes to metrication. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see where the actual course of events has fallen short of those ideals and the mistakes that got us into the current measurement muddle.
Continue reading “Early parliamentary debates on metrication”