Re: Plans to build a freight line through South Bucks

I AM writing to oppose last week's editorial which supported CRAG (Central Railway Action Group).

I am afraid the tone of your newspaper follows a trend in our national press criticising many new schemes and ideas.

Remember, it was the Industrial Revolution including railways that led to our current prosperity.

I support the proposed freight line wholeheartedly and unlike you I do not believe it would cause a corridor of housing blight, a hefty stick to threaten us with.

If this were to be true, we would already see it along current rail routes, but there is no evidence of this in local estate agents offices.

If prices were to drop when the new line is operating there would be a queue of buyers a mile long waiting to get a bargain, hence prices would rise. Market forces determine house prices not railway lines.

Also the new goods trains would be composed of modern rolling stock which is much quieter than current types.

I live near the Birmingham main line and as each train passes I think of the many road journeys that have been saved. The major blight in Longwick is the constant flow of road traffic through the village.

Surely the real issue is Global Warming caused by burning fossil fuels.

If each and every one of us took a little personal responsibility regarding the efficient use of energy, ie by supporting rail schemes and using our cars and lorries less, instead of your nightmare scenario, the world would be a more pleasant place to live in and stand a chance of future survival.

Tim East

Longwick Road

Longwick