AMID all the cries for re-nationalisation are the claims of Russian roulette being played with rail users safety, together with Mr Blair stressing the need for "maximum openness.''

The reason the new rail which is so dismally failing to meet the safety standards required of it and is seen to be the root cause of these problems is obviously escaping him.

The indisputable fact is that it followed the nationalisation of the railways. It was under the auspices of his own party that the new type rail was first laid throughout the network.

What is obvious is that the long proven old type rail, with its chairs permitting better weight distribution and its couplings allowing thermal expansion preventing buckling during extremes of weather, has clearly shown its superiority.

The new type continuous welded rail, minus the chairs, may well make for a smoother and quieter ride and, as a cost-cutting exercise may well meet the criteria expected of it, but the safety of rail passengers merits far more than high hopes and buck passing.

W G GLASS

Beech Avenue

Swindon