OVER the past few years there have been many complaints about the poor conditions rail travellers are forced to put up with.

Unreliable services and platforms exposed to the elements are just part of the problem.

When the carriages do turn up too often they are dirty, draughty and shake, rattle and roll their way across East Lancashire in vivid contrast to the sort of spotless local trains that are the norm in much of the rest of Western Europe.

That could all be about to change.

Cross country operator First TransPennine Express is introducing special covers for headrests impregnated with a blend of aromatherapy oils made from citrus fragrances including orange and grapefruit.

The idea is that the soothing smells will make journeys for passengers more enjoyable and such thoughtfulness by a rail operator is a refreshing change from what we have had to become used to.

But as Ribble Valley Rail's chairman rightly points out such innovations would not really be needed if the trains ran on time and were reasonably clean.

These basics are the first priority and operators should not lose sight of that fact.