I WOULD like to give a vote of confidence to Network Rail and GNER in the light of all the bad publicity they have received lately.

My son and I had no choice but to make a return journey from York to King's Cross on Saturday, August 23, the first day of the Bank Holiday weekend, when numerous parts of the rail network were closed for necessary maintenance.

Although the journey took an hour longer than usual, which we were informed of when booking our tickets, the train left York on time, and on arriving at Retford a fleet of buses took us to Grantham, where the train was waiting in the station and we arrived at King's Cross on time.

The return journey was equally efficient, we were kept informed throughout the journey and buffet facilities were available on all trains.

Angela Brough,

Southfield Court,

Pocklington.

Updated: 08:51 Thursday, September 18, 2003