2001-01-06
>From the Daily Mail, 7.12.00
SIGN POINTS THE WAY TO EUROLAND
by Jonathan Irwin
" It looked like yet another sign of European encroachment into British
life.
Drivers on the A58 in West Yorkshire were yesterday confronted with a
roadsign warning them of danger - one kilometre ahead.Opponents of the
growth in European regulation condemned the sign as evidence of what will
happen if the EU's powers are not checked.
The sign was also criticised by the Government and motoring organisations as
illegal and dangerous.
A facsimile of the sign. (Sign is attached)
Nigel Waterson, the Conservatives' local government spokesman, said: 'The
people of Leeds will not be happy to see kilometres where they should see
miles. This is clearly a taste of Tony Blair's Britain if he gets a second
term. The British people are happy with miles. Why should we change to allow
Tony Blair to edge us even closer to a European superstate?'
Neil Herron, spokesman for the British Anti-Metric Campaign said: 'I
wouldn't be surprised if local authorities were trying to implement
kilometres by stealth so the public can become more used to these signs. It
could be a taste of what's to come'.
Paul Walter, of the AA, called the sign 'astonishing'. He said:' Leeds City
Council have no authority to erect this sign. In the UK we would need a
ten-year lead time to change to metric and also to educate drivers about the
difference between miles and kilometres'.
His concerns were echoes by the RAC. Spokesman Kevin Delaney said: 'The vast
majority of people don't understand kilometres. At best this sign is simply
meaningless, and at worst it is a real distraction'.
Leeds City Council claimed it was a simple mistake. A spokesman said:' Our
roadworks signs are supposed to use imperial not metric distances. To the
best of our knowledge this sign was part of a faulty consignment [our
emphasis] which was being stockpiled until it could be replaced.'
He said it would be replaced with a sign giving the distance in yards or
miles.
My comments:
It seems from the comments of Neil Herron, that exposure to metric is their
worst enemy. They know that once exposed to metric people will eventually
prefer it. They want to keep it off the roads, so people don't get used to
it. They cry about fair play and choice, but it is obvious they aren't
playing fair.
Why would it take Britain 10 years to change road signs, when all the other
countries, much larger than Britain changed over night, with only a few
months propor education?
We need more replys to their campaign against metric signs like this one
below:
Verbatim text of letter from Jim Comport, for City Engineer, Portsmouth City
Council, dated 24.8.2000:
"Dear Mr Titford
METRIC SIGNING - PORTSMOUTH
I refer to your recent correspondence enquiring about metric signing in
Portsmouth.
Signing for motorists is provided in accordance with the Traffic Signs
Regulations and General Directions Regulations 1994. Some years ago, for the
benefit of tourists on foot, some ornamental fingerposts were installed in
appropriate areas of the city.
Due to the nature of such signs which are not intended for motorists, they
have a multitude of very narrow 'fingers' and limited space and only metric
distances are given. Altogether, there are 35 locations, mainly in amenity
areas, open spaces, etc. and pedestrians find them very useful. Being of
cast iron [they will last well into the next century when few people will
recall yards-original text has been made bold], as few today recall rods,
poles and perches which were just about around when I was young! Hopefully,
in view of their robust construction, we hope not to replace them. I think
we have enough as far as I can see.
You will appreciate that the city has the second busiest continental ferry
port in the U.K. and hosts huge numbers of continental visitors and tourists
in view of its location and naval history. The city regards its status as
the UK's 'Gateway to Europe' with immense pride and we have absolutely no
intention of removing the signs. I repeat, they are for pedestrians, not
motorists, and this I think is where the misunderstanding arises.
Yours sincerely
Jim Comport for City Engineer
12 April 1999: Finger Signs - Lowestoft Seafront
Since the promenade and seafront are not classified as Highway it is
considered the EC Directive 89/617, and the Traffic Regulations do not
apply. In view of the above, no changes will be made to these signs.
P J Willeard Property Services Manager
Gl�ckliches Neues Jahr!
Happy New Year!
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
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