No case for line

Jane-Ann Liston (Letters, 12 July) says higher than predicted travel on new rail routes would also apply to the Gala Line. But the former all involve far higher populations, shorter distances and extensions of existing services. The Stirling-Alloa one uses track built for coal movement.

Even if traffic was three times the forecast for the Newtongrange to Gala section that would not justify it. Moreover, many users would be affluent commuters who had moved from Edinburgh. Most Borders people would use the much cheaper, or free for many, bus services.

Even if the Gala service was justified, extending it to Carlisle through some of the emptiest land in the country would make no sense when there is already a frequent, fast, electric service between Edinburgh and Carlisle.

Comparing St Andrews with other university towns is misleading. Most are far bigger. Moreover, most of their inhabitants don't live within a 15-minute bus journey of a mainline station (Leuchars) as do those of St Andrews. Why build a branch to serve a route which a bus can cover in 15 minutes? It would rarely be used by the majority.

What the Borders and St Andrews need is not railways, but affordable housing. Yet the funds are woefully inadequate.

JOHN MUNRO

Buccleuch Street

Glasgow