When something is so successful we should be happy and support those who have worked so hard to continue doing so for everyone’s benefit, not only shareholders.

Delma Stimpson, Wakefield

I myself believe now is the time for British Rail to become National Rail again.

Rich May, Gloucester

It is disgraceful that an organisation that gets so much funding makes shareholders their priority rather than their customers.

Niall Campbell, Braintree

Privatisation should never have happened.

Barbara McCartney, Kirkcaldy

Put passengers first please.

Linda McGregor, Radstock

We are being put to shame by other countries’ rail networks. What happened to the great British Railways? Bring them Back!

Lesley Parkhouse, Bath

People before profit. Democratic control for essential services.

Sue Vincent, London

All the money the Government are making from the East Coast main line just goes to show why the rest of the network needs to come back in house.

Anthony Bush, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

This makes sense.

James Bowthorpe, London

Though never totally satisfactory, the problems caused by privatisation have made nationalisation seem very attractive.

John Cogan, Sunderland

The East Coast line proves that public ownership results in better service than private profit-driven service. Government doesn’t want to hear this though.

Jay Cannings, Lewes

One of many bad decisions by Mrs Thatcher and followers. They basically sold off the family silver to their friends and backers at rock bottom prices. Only their friends benefited.

Trevor Larsen, Kingston upon Hull

Beeching’s rationalised railway made commercial competition impossible as each route is is a monopoly. The only sane way to operate this is as a nationalised entity.

Jo Turner, Leeds

Privatisation has resulted in a ticketing process that is so complicated that it can take an inordinate length of time just to book and buy a travel pass.

Nick Green, Brighton

The system is too confusing at the moment.

Jean Squires, Congleton

Let’s do it.

Ian Green, Leeds

British Rail was excellent – it just lacked investment and political commitment. BBBR,

Mike Lawlor, Gloucester

The great experiment should now end. Privatisation has not worked. Talent has been lost as train operating companies now work in ‘silos’.

William Shearer, London

I agree fully. What we have is pointlessly expensive and complicated. Why, for example, is it cheaper to get multiple tickets for bits of a journey than buy one?

Michael Rose, Aberystwyth

Safety and operation of our rail network should not be in private hands. We need an integrated rail system.

Jim White, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The railways should never have been privatised. Track maintenance is not done as well as under BR, prices are too high and they are understaffed.

Charles Punchard, Durham

Rhaid inni fod fel rhannau o Ewrop sydd a thrennau rhad sydd wedi eu rheoli gan y llywodraeth. (We need to be more like parts of Europe which have cheap state-run trains.)

Gwenno Dafydd Williams, Cardiff

I wish to join with the other people to re-nationalise the railways.

Catherine Maudsley, Northallerton

East Coast has run a great service. Why not allow them to continue and others join them?

Joan Briggs, North Shields

For the past months my morning Southern train to Victoria was never on time and you couldn’t get on it as it was way overcrowded. This is unfair. What do I pay for?

Rafael Kowalczyk, London

Stop the complete annihilation of the guard’s role from McNullty, the government and shareholders.

Chris Davies, Eastbourne

It’s the only way you will ever get an efficient rail system.

Barrie Hood, Newton Aycliffe

Although it is probably bottom of this government’s agenda, for thousands of people the goal of having a railway system run for people as a service is fundamental.

Jonathan Alder, Wenhaston

I have never supported the privatisation of rail services in the UK and I never will.

Wendy Berentsen, Wallsend

Railways should be state-owned and a not-for-profit industry.

Pete Boor, Penzance