Letter: Regrettable move by British Rail

Sir: The decision by British Rail to abandon the low-level King's Cross station for Channel tunnel services is not surprising ('BR to scrap King's Cross plan', 17 February) given the economic malaise in London and the South-east, but it is also regrettable for a reason not mentioned in the Independent report.

The low-level station, if it had been proceeded with, could have been completed well before the end of the century. With modest improvement to existing lines, it could, therefore, have been receiving Channel tunnel trains in about five years' time. It would not have required the building of the new high-speed link to the Channel tunnel, over which there is so much controversy.

Nevertheless, the advantage over Waterloo would have been considerable for many passengers, and a direct route to King's Cross would have been much superior to the tortuous route that the few trains to the north-east of England will have to take.

The St Pancras alternative is likely to be dependent on a new high-speed link being built. There is a great deal of uncertainty about this. It is unlikely to materialise for at least 10 years. In the meantime, Scotland and most of England will have to make do with third-rate connections to Waterloo, or an extremely limited number of slow through services.

It is not good enough. It reflects badly on the indecisiveness of government to ensure the advantages of the Channel tunnel are spread more evenly across the country.

Yours sincerely,

A. J. H. DAVIES

Director

Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Association

Barnsley

18 February