When the latest Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) came into force in April 2016, imperial-only restriction signs for height, width and length were no longer authorised. However, the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM) that provides guidance to road contractors on signage has not been updated since 2009 and still includes imperial-only restriction signs to this day. Six months ago, I asked my local MP to contact the Secretary of State for Transport to ask why the Department for Transport has been promoting the use of unauthorised imperial-only road signs since 2016. I received a reply from the DfT a few days ago.
Continue reading “DfT excuse for promoting unauthorised imperial signs in the TSM for the last 9 years”Tag: TSRGD
The other victory UKMA won in the end
The previous article describes how weights and measures legislation was saved from the axe by changes to the REUL Bill. There was another important victory that has also been won by UKMA with the help of powerful stakeholders though it took years to win. UKMA spent years fighting the Department for Transport before the battle to make metres mandatory on restriction signs was eventually won.
Continue reading “The other victory UKMA won in the end”Why do highway authorities take so long to replace worn-out signs?
There are some worn-out signs that have been in place for months, possibly years, but await replacement. On 4 May 2023, I contacted my local council to ask them to replace a worn-out height sign with a new one. It has been worn out for at least two years but has still not been replaced. I know that it has been worn out for this long because I still have a picture of this worn-out sign that I took on 26 May 2021. Despite informing the local council highway authority that it needs replacement, it has still not been replaced.
Continue reading “Why do highway authorities take so long to replace worn-out signs?”Tenths of a mile on UK odometers relate to nothing on British roads
Odometers in vehicles measure distances travelled in tenths of a kilometre or tenths of a mile, depending on the unit used in the target market. A tenth of a mile is 176 yards. However, there is nothing on British roads that is measured by tenths of a mile.
Continue reading “Tenths of a mile on UK odometers relate to nothing on British roads”Odd British Measurement Usage in the Transport Sector
Some aspects of measurement usage in the British transport sector appear to be uniquely British with no known parallel across the whole world. The British really are out of step with the modern world when it comes to transport measurements. The British transport sector is one of the last imperial bastions in the UK thanks to DfT policies.
Continue reading “Odd British Measurement Usage in the Transport Sector”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?”Legal position on metric social distance signs
Now that we have all become accustomed to metric social distance signs, it might be a good time to look at their legality, which some have questioned. Ronnie Cohen has investigated and reports his conclusions.
Continue reading “Legal position on metric social distance signs”Lack of co-ordination between DfT publications
This week, Ronnie Cohen looks at a problem faced by the UK Department of Transport (DfT) resulting from the our two-system measurement muddle. With continuing staffing cuts in Civil Service and the diversion of effort to deal with Brexit, it would appear that such problems are unlikely to be resolved in the foreseeable future.
Continue reading “Lack of co-ordination between DfT publications”
Metrication timeline for British road signs
In response to one of his enquiries, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) has provided Ronnie Cohen with an account of recent progress on the introduction of metric signs on UK roads.
Continue reading “Metrication timeline for British road signs”
New insights into DfT thinking in recent years
In this article, Ronnie Cohen passes on information he has recently received from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Continue reading “New insights into DfT thinking in recent years”
Metric Views 