Regarding the railways: consider that private companies’ profits are around the three to four per cent mark, so renationalisation can only knock prices down by the same amount, and only if the state could run them just as efficiently.

Given Failing Grayling’s mess of his state-run elements, I would think it unwise to hand over even more of the network to Westminster.

What’s needed is a serious overhaul of the franchise system and reducing the remaining 96 per cent of running costs.

The full potential of privatisation is nullified by operators having local monopolies, so the solution is to have all stations nationalised and every route being open to all operators in the same way airports do.

Secondly, technology needs enhancing to cut down on staff costs because it’s scandalous that drivers can earn double what some junior doctors are paid for doing an easier job with a lot less training involved.

Once software is in the driving seat then signalling, a major source of disruption, can be scrapped cutting costs even further and putting cable thieves out of business.

Then we could look forward to a future of affordable rail travel and free from being held to ransom by trades unions.

Dr Scott Marmion,

Woodthorpe, York

Come clean with real reason for cameras

DO York councillors think all York residents are stupid in giving the reasons for turning off the rising bollard on Low Poppleton Lane as being to favour cyclist and pedestrian safety (Bus lane cameras could be made permanent, The Press, September 18)?

Installing cameras with ANPR to subject motorists who violate the restrictions to hefty fines is nothing more than entrapment and another money-making scheme at the expense of the unsuspecting motorist.

If the council really wants to make a difference to cyclist and pedestrian safety it should look at more serious hazards like the parking at the end of Bootham where irresponsible motorists stop and park on double yellows at the numerous takeaways and the supermarket, blocking cyclists’ safety routes.

Safe cycle lanes throughout the city come nowhere close to the excellent cycle paths on the continent, as in Germany, Holland and France.

So let’s be serious, come clean with the real reason for lowering the “bollard” in Low Poppleton Lane.

It’s for the wonga and nothing else, just like the Lendal Bridge fiasco.

JDW Aked,

The Meadows,

Skelton, York

Lindley Street has been left in a mess

WHAT a mess the installation of York Ultra Fibre Optic has made of Lindley Street. There is now a hole where there used to be a reasonable pavement.

This is a trip hazard.

If this is the standard of the end product, then what a waste of money and resources.

I will not be buying.

J F Cocker,

Lindley Street, York