Vol. 573 No. 4
273 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the date by which he expects the switch to metric measurements in road signs to be completed; if he has plans to have a lead-in time where measurements will be displayed in both miles and kilometres for the benefit of people used to the imperial measurements; the plans which exist for a public information campaign on the issue; the estimated cost for such a campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25691/03]
The European Communities (Units of Measurement) (Amendment) Regulations that were made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2001 and 2002 permit the use of imperial units on road signs for distance measurement until 31 December 2005 and on road signs for speed and measurement until 31 December 2004, respectively. The conversion to metric units on new and replacement distance signage has been ongoing for over a decade now and this element of the metrication programme is due to be completed within the statutory timeframe.
A working group carried out a review of speed limits this year against the backdrop of the proposed metrication of speed limits by the end of 2004. The group recommended in its report that a revised speed limit structure be introduced and estimated that the new metric road signage and public awareness campaign that would be required to support the metrication of the revised structure would cost in the region of €10 million.
