When is metric signage legal?
Contrary to the misinformation spread by opponents of completing the conversion to the metric system, there is nothing "illegal" about using metric units on direction and distance signage. All that is needed is consent under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations 1992 - and this is easily obtained.
UKMA believes the legal position to be as follows.
All signs are defined as "advertisements" for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Acts. Most advertisements require consent under the T&CP (Control of Advertisement) Regulations. However, the Regulations provide that signs which conform to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (TSRGD) do not require a separate consent. The TSRGD does not authorise metric signage (with the exception of height and width restriction and warning signs, provided that they are accompanied by an imperial sign).
However, it is open to anybody (including local authorities and private individuals) to apply for consent under the T&CP (CoA) Regs to erect a sign. Consent can only be refused on grounds of "amenity" or "public safety", and the content of the sign may not be controlled by the Planning Authority. Thus, the authority may object to the position, size or level of illumination of the sign, but they cannot refuse consent because of what it says or the measurement units which appear on it - although of course there may be other rules regarding defamation, misleading information, decency etc.
The conclusion from this is that if an individual or an authority obtains "express" consent for an advertisement beside a road or footpath, they can use metric - or indeed any other - units. (Click here for a more detailed explanation)
"Imperial vigilantes"
Unfortunately, many local authorities appear to be unaware of the true position and have given in to intimidation from extremist, politically-motivated groups who threaten to vandalise signs. One of these individuals, who had removed a number of contractor's signs, was described by a judge as an "imperial vigilante" (click here for BBC report). Although his conviction for theft was later quashed, his conviction for criminal damage was upheld.
In other cases signs that are wrongly claimed to be unlawful are defaced, as in the example below.
This was a perfectly legal and well-designed canalside sign in central Birmingham (signage on inland waterways is actually required to be metric). Yet mindless vandals have ruined it by obliterating or plating over distances in metres.
The real culprits
However, the real culprits in these childish antics are to be found in the Department for Transport. Despite the fact that the UK has a 16-year-old legal obligation to name a date for converting road signage to metric, the DfT has done nothing to prepare for this change. Instead, it offers unconvincing excuses for inaction.
The longer it delays, the more it will cost eventually.
UKMA calls on the DfT to:
name an early date for converting signage
publish a robust changeover plan
amend the TSRGD immediately to authorise metres and km on footpath and pedestrian signage and brown tourist signs
prohibit the future use of the symbol "m" to denote "miles"
undertake an intensive campaign of driver education shortly before conversion of speed limits
See also UKMA's more detailed policy statement .
Legally erected metric signs
Private bodies and local authorities regularly erect metric signs legally by obtaining consent under the T&CP (Control of Advertisement) Regulations.
These examples of metric signage have been erected perfectly legally by various companies to advertise the direction and distance to their premises. Many other examples abound.
UKMA urges any body wishing to erect metric signs to ensure that they get the appropriate planning consent.
You appeared to have posted some text straight from a source dedicated to metrication.
It's be better if you could get some text from the department of roads.
The bonus would also be that people will have read your entire post - rather than just the first couple of lines and the tail.
martin
Re: When is metric signage legal?
October 7 2005, 12:37 PM
kilo-bee wrote
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It's be better if you could get some text from the department of roads.
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The original posting said
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The real culprits
However, the real culprits in these childish antics are to be found in the Department for Transport. Despite the fact that the UK has a 16-year-old legal obligation to name a date for converting road signage to metric, the DfT has done nothing to prepare for this change. Instead, it offers unconvincing excuses for inaction.
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This suggests that in the view of the UKMA the Depsrtment for Transport has failed to deliver their legal obligation. If the UKMA allegation is correct, then one should view any statement from the DfT with suspicion. The best way is to read the TSRGD 2002 text
and then to follow up the authority under which the minister issued the TSRGD 2002. (Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Road Traffic Act 1988). These two acts are not available on-line, but are available in various public libraries. The limitations of the TSRGD should eb stated in those Acts.
If you have ever watched "Yes Minister", you should know better than to trust everything that comes from a Government Department.