Rail-road balance

With Virgin’s West Coast rail ambitions reaching the end 
of the line (your report, 16 
August), there are obviously fears that its successor, First Group, will find it difficult 
financially to implement promised improvements.

It is essential for Scotland to have efficient and effective rail services down both sides of the country if air travel is to be challenged and cars are going to be enticed off the road.

The government obviously wants the burden of cost to be transferred from the taxpayer to the rail user, but if the price of rail tickets becomes prohibitive, travellers will switch back to car travel with its potential to clog the road network.

A delicate balancing act!

Bob MacDougall

Kippen

Stirlingshire