IN reply to Kavan MacGuire (LT, August 31) I wish to reminisce to my early years. I am 78 years old.

In my younger days the largest volume of goods were carried by rail to goods yards in or near centre of towns, there to be unloaded onto Scammell three wheel trucks whose manoeuvr-ability was breathtaking.

A train carried up to 40 wagons value at one time, so where you get the false impression that wagons are value for money is beyond belief.

If we could hark back to a very good railway system that was nationalised, there could be hope that the cost of goods could be at least a quarter of what we are paying now.

The roads would be quieter and much more peaceful and it wouldn't cost the billions of pounds to repair each year.

And dare I say it, the ozone layer would not have such a big hole in it.

FRANCIS CROSS, Eagle Street, Accrington.