I AM incensed by the anti-metric nonsense coming from activists who think they have the right to enforce obscure inappropriate regulations claiming to forbid putting metres and kilometres on footpath signs (August 19).

The council can apply for permission for this if they wish. There are no safety hazards and the reason given for metric signage was quite sensible.

It's time Britain moved into the 21st century and started to consider the plight of younger people not schooled in imperial having to cope with unnecessary dual measures in our society.

I accept that road signs and speed limits should be subject to an open and decisive programme of change rather than by stealth but there is no evidence that York council were trying to do this.

It would do no harm to allow metric on pedestrian distance signs and would pave the way (literally) for the ultimate objective of full metrication of traffic signs.

Earlier this year, the Repubic of Ireland successfully converted its signs to metric without any significant problems.

If they can do it, so can we.

Then and only then can the people of Britain enjoy the ease and simplicity of the metric system.

Philip S Hall,

Harborough Road,

Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

Updated: 10:23 Wednesday, August 24, 2005