Vive British Rail.

David Wilde, Prestonpans

We need a joined-up train service run in the public interest, owned by the public.

Simon Jones, Bromley

It would be a vote-winner, and wouldn’t cost money. It looks like it would be a net income. There are not enough reasons not to.

Alex England, Llanidloes

The railways have been messed about since the 90s. Connex and Southern are both awful. BR might not have been great but it was a damn sight better than this.

Victor Meldrew, Shoreham-by-Sea

The nation’s infrastructure must belong to the people.

Frank Lerner, London

Privatisation has never ever made anything better or cheaper. Re-unify.

S J Smith, Reading

Full communism.

Jack Dickinson, Penzance

A re-unified rail network just might restore a rail link to North Cornwall.

Helen Saltern, Bude

Our fragmented rail system is ludicrously expensive to run and with so many parties involved, only interested in profit, strategic planning is well nigh impossible.

John Webster, Balerno

The current system on most lines is diabolical. The sooner the better that it is re-nationalised.

Diana Copnall, Barnet

Of course the railways, the utilities and other natural monopolies and key sectors of the economy should be run as public services and not for private profit.

Penelope Newsome

Thatcher and Major sold off the country’s assets and it’s time to get them back.

Barry Hague, Derby

British Rail can operate efficiently and as a profitable business under public ownership, for the benefit of the nation. It just needs the right people in charge.

Nigel Holmes, Hull

Efficient public transport is not a market product for customers to fight over. It is basic requirement of a prosperous and civil society.

Mike Bellion, Sedbergh

I would rather the public purse profited from a crappy rail service than fat cats and their shareholders.

Richard Sutton, Hexham

There was never a better time. Poor service, huge subsidies, high fares. Give us it back. Energy companies next.

Thomas Brotherston, Saltcoats

We need a railway system that works for the users not the shareholders.

Valerie McIntosh, Warrington

We pay the highest rail fares in Europe for a service that is far too often delayed and cramped.

Scott Banks, Darlington

It should not have gone in the first place.

Colin Ure, Houghton-le-Spring

Better rail travel is integral to economic growth and reducing the impact on the environment. Only publicly owned, publicly run will achieve this, not a profit-led company.

Simon Barlow, Cheltenham

Greedy bastards.

Arthur Shaw, Bromley

We taxpayers are paying more in subsidy to the private companies that run the railways now than we ever did when it was state-owned. Re-nationalise now.

Jerry Cooper, London

Why not re-nationalise, take more people off benefits to work in the Industry to, once again, give good customer service, instead of demoralising them with unemployment.

Shirley Coupe, Norwich

Invest in infrastructure instead of enriching shareholders.

Sam Jordison

The current franchise setup is a national disgrace, designed to generate maximum profit from poorly served passengers.

Brian Racher, West Sussex

I’m badly in need of a railway from Leicester to Burton. This can help us. Keep up the good work.

Kevin Jordan, Coalville

I’d rather go by train than drive, but the sad fact is the car is far cheaper, even when proportionally factoring in initial price, tax, insurance, fuel and depreciation.

Pete Williams, Southampton

The privatisation of BR was a criminal destruction of a well-functioning railway system for the stupidest ideological reasons and has been a disaster for Britain.

Francis Nixon, Marton, New Zealand

I would like to see British Rail brought back into public ownership and run as a business.

James Cowen, York