Comments on: A headache on the road to Pickering http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/ Commentary on the measurement muddle in the UK Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:51:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Han Maenen http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-1748 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:18:39 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-1748 Yes, it is true: it could be read as a low bridge 11'3'' 5.3 miles further on; however this mistake would be made especially by Americans. 'Decimal' non-metric units are especially American usage, the British usually stick to traditional subdivisions of such units. Yes, it is true: it could be read as a low bridge 11′3′’ 5.3 miles further on; however this mistake would be made especially by Americans. ‘Decimal’ non-metric units are especially American usage, the British usually stick to traditional subdivisions of such units.

]]> by: Alex Bailey http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-45 Fri, 05 Jan 2007 14:05:07 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-45 Ah, but isn't it currently illegal to show distances in metres on road signs? That's ignoring the fact that "x yards" to roadworks these days is atually x metres, particulary on motorways where they often use the marker posts to place the signs! Ah, but isn’t it currently illegal to show distances in metres on road signs?

That’s ignoring the fact that “x yards” to roadworks these days is atually x metres, particulary on motorways where they often use the marker posts to place the signs!

]]> by: martinw http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-42 Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:12:32 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-42 Given that on Britain's road signs "m" can mean "mile" or "metre", there is also the possibility that the sign could be read as there being a low bridge 11'3" high 5.3 miles along the road to Pickering. Given that on Britain’s road signs “m” can mean “mile” or “metre”, there is also the possibility that the sign could be read as there being a low bridge 11′3″ high 5.3 miles along the road to Pickering.

]]> by: Alex Bailey http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-27 Wed, 27 Dec 2006 09:32:22 +0000 http://www.metricviews.org.uk/2006/12/25/how-low-is-this-bridge-20061221/#comment-27 There is a sign in North West Cambs which reads: "Weight limits 7.5 tonnes & 2 tons in Wansford village" (http://metric.myemailaddress.net/IMG_1819.JPG). I've queried this several times with the local authorities but they don't seem to think it is important as they've never responded to my emails! Interestingly since first seeing this I've noticed several weight limit signs in Cambs which still use "tons". I was under the impression that this was no longer even legal! There is a sign in North West Cambs which reads: “Weight limits 7.5 tonnes & 2 tons in Wansford village” (http://metric.myemailaddress.net/IMG_1819.JPG). I’ve queried this several times with the local authorities but they don’t seem to think it is important as they’ve never responded to my emails! Interestingly since first seeing this I’ve noticed several weight limit signs in Cambs which still use “tons”. I was under the impression that this was no longer even legal!

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