Hi,

I've been following all your anti-metric activities with great interest. I'm a retired Highways Engineer from Kent County Council and know what they're up to - trying to slide in a metric sign here and there, hoping no-one will really notice, until it's too late to do anything about it.

I think my 'Kent Signswatch' team and I can beat the current BWMA record for dealing with metric signs. We've recently had dozens of metric signs go up in Kent. Transco McAlpine are building a new gas pipleine. The section we've inspected is from west of Marden to just south of High Harden (south-east of Maidstone) - about 12 miles.

When you approach the pipeline on a major road, the following signs will greet you in sequence:
'800mtrs'
'400mtrs'
'200mtrs', and
'100mtrs'.

On middle-ranking roads the '800mtrs' is dropped and on the little by-ways they mostly only do '200mtrs' and '100mtrs'.

Confusingly, around 15 or 16 of the several dozen signs inspected were in yards. A typical sequence would be: '400mtrs', then '200yds', then '100mtrs'.

On two of the main roads (A274 and A229) there are signs bearing the legend 'Site Entrance Ahead 200mtrs' (or some other metric distance).

Over the past few days, our team has dealt with these as follows:

54 metric distances signs have been removed (a simple job as they are just nailed into two 3" x 3" wooden posts) and placed into safe custody, AND

6 metric signs: 'Site Entrance Ahead x mtrs' have had the unlawful metric distance part of the signs sprayed over three times with black spray paint.

For the statistically-minded among you, the 'metric cull' figures are as follows:

'100mtrs' signs removed - 25
'200mtrs' signs removed - 16
'400mtrs' signs removed - 11
'800mtrs' signs removed - 1
'Site Entrance Ahead 800mtrs' sign removed - 1.

Total signs removed: 54

In addition, six 'Site Entrance Ahead x mtrs' signs were suitably covered up.

A total of 60 metric signs have therefore been 'taken out'.

I've reported these details to UKIP's 'Guard the Yard' Campaign and understand that they will be writing to the Transco McAlpine Pipeline Project Team at Staplehurst, to ensure that the 60 new signs in yards go up as soon as possible. If you want to give them some grief over all their metric signs, ring them on 01580 890791.

P.S. The signs have been carefully stored away. If you ever want them, either for evidence, or photographs etc., let me know on the Battle Board and I'll make contact with you.

Good luck to all of you helping to keep their hands off the mile and yard!

Cheers,

Ray

Under the splendid headline: "Metric Signs are Half-Inched", the Kent Express leads on its front page today with a report on the recent actions by Ray and his Kent 'Signswatch Team' in removing 54 metric signs around Tenterden and covering over another 6.

The factual piece includes a quote from local Chairman of UKIP, Dave Waller, who says: "They are trying to change this country so it is the same as any other in Europe. Next they will have us driving on the other side of the road. Our differences are what make us interesting. The whole enjoyment of going to another country is that it is different". The article finishes with the words: "Transco McAlpine was not available for comment".

But perhaps of most joy to BWMA members and supporters is the tone of the accompanying editorial. The lead article in the 'Comment' column runs as follows (verbatim) under the heading: "Hang on - We're still in England":

"Driving on Britain's roads today is hard enough without the problem being added to by people using inconsistent and illegal road signs. This week the U.K. Independence Party removed more than 50 signs from roads and county lanes around Tenterden as part of their campaign to 'guard the yard'.

"The whole thing is just another example of the government's attempts to change the way of life of the people of Britain to conform to the rest of Europe. Everybody has an opinion about whether or not we should change our laws, currency and measurements to form a united Europe.

"But whether pro or anti, it seems silly to waste so much time and energy changing systems that already work.

"The change from imperial to metric measuring of food has led to confusion, disruption and the prosecution of shopkeepers who do not adhere to the rules. Of course change is important - we cannot stay stuck in the past - but sometimes it will go too far. Next we will all be speaking the same language, driving on the same side of the road and eating the same foods.

"It will be a sad day when a trip across the Channel affords us no change of culture or change of scenery. The joy of visiting other countries is that they are different from ours".

An editorial that should surely be brought under the nose of our Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Byers, as soon as possible.

Thank you, Ray, for your pro-british efforts.

Tony Bennett, UKIP 'Guard the Yard' Campaign
Tel: 01279 635789

Extracts from Transco's response to the complaint about the use of metric signs along their pipeline in Kent (12 July):

"Thank you for your letter...drawing Transco's attention to the use of metric road signs in Kent...I have advised our contractors to ensure that all signs are in yards; however, I am extremely concerned that signs warning motorists of road crossings and site entrances have been removed since they are a vital part of road safety procedures under the New Road and Street Works Act (1981)...

"Thank you once again for bringing this matter in Kent to our attention. As requested, I can confirm that contractors working on this pipeline in Kent have been instructed to ensure that all signs conform to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994"

From Martin Magee, Contract Manager

Full reply available from Tony Bennett, UKIP, 66 Chippingfield, HARLOW, Essex, CM17 0DJ

Verbatim extracts from reply dated 12 July 2001 from 'McAlpine-PPS Pipeline Systems Joint Venture':

"We have discussed this matter with the Kent County Council Highway Department, who confirm that traffic signs should, in theory, be in imperial measurements...

"Had you followed the correct channels and approached our site management team with your concerns, we are confident that given a short transition period, all of our road signs would have been amended accordingly. This would have alleviated the rectification works now necessary due to the damage or theft by your 'Signwatch Group'. It would also have limited the potential dangerous situation [your 'Signwatch Group'] temporarily created...

"In our opinion, you have obviously not fully taken into consideration the general public's safety, since a sign with information in 'metres', providing meaningful information of potential danger ahead, is by far safer than no sign at all...

"It is also worthy of note that the majority of young road users today have been educated in metrication measurements only. Considering that these youngsters are the most vulnerable to traffic accidents and have the most to look forward to in life generally, then the use of metric signs in this country should, in our opinion, be acceptable.

"Notwithstanding our comments above, we are replacing the stolen signs and amending our signs to read in imperial measurements..."

From: Mr K W Chaderton, Poroject Manager

Full text available from Tony Bennett, UKIP, 66 Chippingfield, HARLOW, Essex, CM17 0DJ

On 27 October I was charged with theft of a number of metric signs from Transco on 1st July and criminal damage (spraying out a metric distance with an aerosol can) on another. I was bailed to appear at Maidstone Magistrates Court on 30 October where I pleaded 'Not Guilty'. I am legally represented by a London firm of Solicitors.

The signs have now been returned to Transco but with the letters 'mtrs' painted over in each case. In the meantime, it has come to light that BWMA member Mr Rippingham wrote to Transco about similar illegal metric signs over three years ago and the company conceded then, in writing, that they should not have been erected.

The Court will have to decide whether it is a crime to remove a metric sign with the intention of ensuring that it was not used ever again without lawful authority.

The sign that I am alleged to have 'damaged' read 'Site Entrance Ahead 600 mtrs'. I blacked out the '600 mtrs'. The sign has now had a professional label placed over it by Transco which reads '600 yards'

Tony Bennett

I note from the letter by the contactor company that the usual old excuse of young people not knowing imperial and possibly crashing because the metric signs were missing. Why does this tired excuse always get wheeled out?

I was educated entirely in metric, however also have a life!

Ask anyone "young" how tall they are and how much they weigh and see how metricated young people really are.

Can you imagine the average teenager getting confused while "Beckham scores a perfect goal from 60yds"?

Please wake up and stop patronising the young!