Letters: Rail investment

Surely one reason is the very simple one that the French system is, by and large, still start managed as a single unit, and is not dispersed into many hundreds of competing and squabbling units spanning train operators, infrastructure providers and constructors and leasing companies all overseen by a complex external regulator?

Secondly, the French have an excellent record of dedication to uprating and constantly improving their public transport network and integrating this between different modes, such as road-rail interchanges and airport links and making sure that their cities have good mass transit systems in place.

Thirdly, the French are not held in thrall by the car lobby.

And finally, as a nation they seem to accept large infrastructure projects as being for the genuine good of the nation and of the region, and are not held to ransom by mindless NIMBYism.

Spectator also asks why the promises of direct rail links to the North from the Channel Tunnel are not being fulfilled. Again I think the answer lies in our present rail structure, which is commercially risk averse. There is a good case for such services, services which would complement our existing regional airports, but I feel we will need to see a sea change approach in railway management before this happens. Hopefully the new powers of the Strategic Rail Authority implemented by John Prescott will make a start here!

DAVID WALSH

Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

Town Hall,

South Bank.

Stokesley depot

Sir, - Your newspaper recently informed us that North Yorkshire County Council is proposing to redevelop the existing highways site at North Road, Stokesley, with some housing for the elderly and a library.

This is the site identified for a new community centre in the 1980s. It appears, because of the likely cost, the community centre idea has been dropped.

Members of the parish council at Stokesley are also the trustees of two trusts dating from 1920 relating to the town hall and to the former retained lands of the manor, referred to as Manorial Lands Trust. The income from the lettings of the town hall do not meet the running costs and it has to rely on monies from the Manorial Lands Trust and support from the Stokesley council tax payers.

The main hall is situated on the first floor and has on occasion proved too small and also has poor toilets, which cannot be improved without using some of the hall space.

If forward planning has any benefit, the land at the highways site must in part be used to provide a new community centre.

Providing floor space is adequate, the first floor of the town hall would make a good central library and provide the Town Hall trust with a sensible income, instead of having to reply on "hourly lets" and the support of the Manorial Lands Trust.

I am informed that library use could be acceptable to the Trust's charity commissioners.

R W BARKER

Ladycross Farm,

Stokesley.

Fair firemen's wage

Sir, - Representatives of the UK's firefighters and control staff have been involved in negotiations with national employers over a new pay deal since February 26.

For our employers to suggest that we have rushed headlong into a strike ballot is inaccurate and inflammatory.

Local government has failed to negotiate on a fair wage and has consistently side stepped the issue.

Firefighters work two eight-hour day shifts and two 16-hour night shifts every week, often over weekends and bank holidays. They are trained to deal with fires, road accidents, flooding, chemical spills and all manner of rescues, on occasions risking their own lives to save others, and all this for £100 a week less than the average earnings of other full-time workers.

MPs and local councillors should listen to the opinions of the public who elected them and reward the UK's firefighters with a wage that reflects the technical and professional demands of the modern fire and rescue service.

Firefighter IAN MOORE

Pay campaign co-ordinator,

County Durham.