[USMA:26978] RE: U K construction industry

[Bill Potts]

John:   As far as I know, the U.K. construction industry is metric (at least nominally). However, there are two BBC TV programs that would lead you to believe otherwise -- Ground Force and Changing Rooms.   I suspect one or more of our U.K. participants will be able to tell you to what degree the construction industry (including those involved with road construction) really complies with metric standards.   As for Canada, I think the road construction is all metric. However, I would defer to Joe Reid as the expert on that.   As you probably know, the U.S. is a mixed bag. New York and California have stuck faithfully to metric for road construction, along with a handful of other states. However, a number of states that switched to metric have now reverted, mainly because of pressure from reactionary contractors. Quite a few states didn't even convert in the first place.   Of those states that reverted, Utah is possibly the most notable. After they went metric, they offered all their old non-metric manuals for sale, giving the impression they were well and truly committed (which they were at the time). However, the Utah state legislature voted to revert to Fred Flintstone units.   Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of john mercer Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 16:42 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:26976] U K construction industry I have2 questions.  In the U K does the construction industry use metric or imperial?  Another question.  Are highway prodjects designed in metric or imperial?  I believe that in Canada all road construction whether it be city, federal, or provincial are designed in metric.  Is there anybody on this site who could tell me that for sure.