MY wife and I read with horror and disbelief the report that the train service from Bradford on Avon to London Waterloo may be discontinued next May.

It is surely one of the great public transport success stories, so, rather than allowing it to disappear, why aren't those in authority and government boasting of something that is a real success, popular, well used, and gives value for money?

For goodness sake they spend enough time trying to convince us (unsuccessfully) that so many disastrous decisions are just the opposite. Here surely is something that they could boast about, and with which we could actually agree.

More seriously, however, this plan is yet another example of incompetent planning. On the one hand urging the public to abandon their cars and travel by train, and then pulling the rug from under the feet of, in this case, a willing public. Of course this is not the only example.

We live in Corsham, on the main London to Bristol railway line. Plans have been developed over some 20 years to re-establish a station at Corsham, with support from so many different authorities, such collaboration being unheard of previously. This would reduce road traffic to Bath considerably, but this has been shelved at the last minute because the SRA has decided to axe the service which would have called at Corsham station.

The government inflicts its targets on everyone, causing stress and havoc. When they find the going too tough for themselves, they just change them not so for anyone else! No, this just will not do.

ROBIN & MAUREEN

JACKSON

Corsham.

I AM one of the many users of the Wales-Waterloo train who are dismayed at the possibility of losing this service. Not only does it access Eurostar, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, but makes a stop at Wimbledon during the tennis fortnight.

Last week, as always, I was impressed by the helpful and friendly staff as well as the clean and tidy carriages. The 9.13am train from Bradford on Avon is usually fully booked and could often do with a third carriage, for which no extra staff would be required.

The loss of this service will mean having to go to Paddington with much inconvenience and loss of time, due to changes required, and/or an increase in road traffic to Bath or Chippenham at a time when the government is seeking to reduce this.

P WICKHAM,

Bradford on Avon.

THE railway provides a service to the public, if that service is not needed or is under-used then the authorities have every right to close it. However, when that service is needed and is well used there can really be no excuse for a decision to close it, especially, when as in this case, the reason for closing the service is bureaucratic inconvenience.

I, like many thousands, have used this service frequently, both on visits to London and to catch the Eurostar train to Paris and Brussels. When my wife travels alone to visit our daughter and family in Paris the advantages of a through train to Waterloo are immense. On the only occasion we were obliged to travel on Sunday, due to delay, we missed the connection in Salisbury and then our Eurostar connection. This will no doubt happen when the two trains are managed under different franchises.

In my work, both professionally and as a volunteer, I have always felt it right that you should never start a service, which is used and needed, if you do not intend to keep it going. This service is both used and needed and the decision to close needs a very careful second thought.

J GREENAWAY,

Trowbridge.

I AM appalled at the suggestion that the very find through train service from Bradford on Avon to Waterloo should be at risk of deletion from the timetables.

It is invaluable for residents of this town in giving a quick service to the centre of the capital.

The trains, in my experience, have always been punctual, are timetabled at convenient times for a day or half day in town, are very competitively priced compared with the alternative route and as seats are booked in advance there is no likelihood of having to stand for the trip. Added to this is the trolley service of refreshments and the whole trip amounts to a pleasant experience, with the extra bonus of arriving practically at the centre of London.

Waterloo is where one also needs to be to get the European links, as well as those to Gatwick and also to reach the southeast regional trains from the adjacent station. This latter point is of prime importance to my family and me, as our son lives in the Sidcup region.

The alternative is to use the old Great Western route, which entails changing at Bath, is more expensive, takes longer overall and deposits one at Paddington, with a further tube trip to get to the region of the West End.

HANDS OFF!!!

D P MILES,

Bradford on Avon.

I WISH to add my name to the many you are receiving regarding the possible axing of the Wales-Waterloo train service.

I am 84 years of age, my only son lives in Surrey, the only way I can visit him and family is by this service whereby he meets me at Clapham Junction.

It is so convenient for me and my son, if this service is withdrawn then it will be the end of my visits to him, which I would find very upsetting.

Please forward this letter to our MP who I understand is doing his best to put our case forward.

D WALTERS (MRS),

Trowbridge.