Mr MJ Parker has contacted BWMA to report his success in removing two metric-only width restriction signs either end of Leam Bridge in Hunningham.

Mr Parker first wrote to Warwickshire County Council on October 11th, 2000 to report the illegal signs. The council wrote back stating that the metric width signs were legal.

Mr Parker wrote to the DETR on Oct 21st asking for clarification as to whether Warwickshire's view of the law was correct. The DETR replied stating that metric-only width signs were legal ONLY if there was a corresponding feet/inches sign in the vicinity. As there were no such feet/inches signs on the bridge, the metric signs were unlawful.

On November 21st, Warwickshire replied to Mr Parker saying that the signs "may not comply" with regulations; however, no commitment was given as to when they would be removed. In fact, the council seemed to suggest that the signs would not be changed, due to the need to be prudent with resources.

Mr Parker wrote on December 9th pointing out that the counci was not above the law. As a result, the council stated that it would remove the signs and seek special permission from the DETR to put up dual metric/imperial signs, instead.

Thanks Mr MJ Parker for you help in the removal of the sign.

Your intervention in this matter has now resulted in an ancient and historic bridge being very badly damaged by overwide vehicles attempting to use it.

Regardless of the argument of Metric V Imperial you actions have had a very detrimental impact on what is probably part of the historic England that you wish to save.... every time you go past and see the continual damaged casued I hope that you can feel very proud of your actions.

It is Warickshire council that are to blame here. They could have easily replaced the metric signs but preferred to leave the bridge in a dangerous situation rather than erect legal signs in feet and inches.

Mr Parker was right to insist that the council act in a lawful manner and it was there duty to ensure that local assets are properly protected with the proper (ie legal) warning signs. The resident would do well to vent his anger at his local council for allowing such a situation to exist. It would appear that they have little regard for either their physical or cultural heritage.

All county councils have a legal obligation to mark the widths and heights of bridges and other structures in feet and inches for the benefit and safety of road users. Warwickshire did not comply with the law.

Any damage to the bridge (and vehicles) is entirely the responsiblilty of Warwickshire County Council, not Mr Parker who correctly and lawfully pointed out to Warwickshire its failure to fulfil the requirements of the 1994 Road Traffic Regulations.

Metric units are not recognised by UK traffic regulations for the above purpose.

Such quick and intelligent replies ... I'm so lucky

I'm glad that there are well thought out, it's someone else's fault, that's always a good one.

Your campaign objectives are the removal of metric signs...why don't you ensure that the correct signs are there rather than just the 'wrong' one removed.

For instance, In Mr Parkers case why did he not go through the parish council to gain support for correct signage that way both sides could be satisfied. I stand by my case, your campaign is more akin to collecting train numbers... its not the 'trains' you are interested in rather just chalking up so called victories against metric signs. Clearly Mr Parker is not resident of this village, if so he would know of the on-going issue there is over road safety and he could have lent his weight to our local arguments. My guess is that he has a hobby of just going around looking for metric signs to campaign against...such a useful contribution to local communities

Who owns the bridge?

If damage has been caused by removing an illegal metric sign and failing to replace it promptly with either an Imperial only sign or signs with both units, then the County Council is responsible for the damage and should be made to repair it. May be the Parish Council would care to take this matter up with the County Council? If it is a historic bridge and the council has failed to meet its legal obligations in respect of signing, the County Council may be criminally liable. The Parish Council should call for an investigation of those responsible and a full report on both the original illegal signing and the subsequent failure to replace the sign.

Tony Bennett

Firstly what has the ownership of the bridge to do with this issue ???

Seccondly you very neatly avoided most of the points in my post - guess thats why you are in politics.