THE tragedy of the Potters Bar rail crash has once again focused the minds of many in this region on our potential isolation from the rest of the UK and Europe.

Take my own experience as an example.

Just before the accident I had planned two days of business in London where I wanted to meet a number of businesses and organisations that can help the companies I work with to win orders.

It soon became clear that my journey would be extended by at least an hour. This would cause a difficult rearrangement of my schedule. Added to this, I was asked, at very short notice, to meet a major international business keen to work with firms in the region.

An inquiry with GNER, who I must say are doing a great job in very difficult circumstances, confirmed my fears.

So I called each of the three airlines operating services to London from the region. All wanted to charge me a price that would have been considered highway robbery not so long ago.

The next option was to drive, but have you driven to London recently? It did not take long to recall the slow-moving traffic in the A1 bottleneck, or the difficulties of parking in London where the charges for 24hrs are ridiculously high.

Why is it that we in the North-East of England have to put up with this kind of service and potential isolation.

Running and maintaining an efficient railway used to be a matter of national pride. The French and the Italians run fantastic railways, as do the Japanese. It really is not about whether the private or public sector should do it. It is about management of people, training, excellence, reward, motivation and dedication.

Airlines operate to the highest standards and it is very rare to hear that poor maintenance has caused an accident.

When can we expect an A1 built to three-lane motorway standards? Not soon, especially now that "consultants" have not recommended the dualling of the A1 north to the border. Transport infrastructure is a matter of political will and priority. It is clear to all of us who live in this great region that our Ministers do not have a 21st Century transport system for the North-East high on their agenda.

By the way, I eventually gave in to extortion and flew to Gatwick. Great service, but why so expensive?