UNLIKE John Prescott, the ex-ship's steward (and I have done that job!) I am no longer a member of the Labour Party, but I do believe in, and use public transport.

So, it was most upsetting to be addressed by a member of staff at Blackburn Station, as one waited in monstrous conditions on a most inhospitable platform 2, with the words "Ha! I'm going home in a car!"

This was especially galling , as the 13.47 had disappeared - at least I never saw it after the 50 minute late announcement and the 14.47 was 25 minutes later.

The train did, eventually, arrive, with little or no apology, perhaps because it is now such a regular occurrence?

J S KENT (Mr), Fairfield Close, Clitheroe.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.