The sooner the better.

David Phillips, Eastbourne

I hope people understand that the only reason for continued existence of the privatised railway, is to make a small number of men extremely wealthy.

Hector, Cheshire

They should never have privatised British Rail. Re-nationalise it. East Coast run a better service than the privatised companies.

Graeme Hannam, Huddersfield

Improve the UK quality of life. It helps employment issues by offering affordable transport and affordable holiday transport benefits seaside towns. Everyone wins.

Alacia Gent, Cambridge

I use the East Coast mainline to visit my mother in London. I’m delighted with the service. Trains, like hospitals, schools, water, gas and electricity should belong to the people.

Caroline Bond, Leeds

Railways are now used as a cash cow for profiteering. We the people bought and built British Rail only for it to be sold off for profit is an outrage.

John Paine, Dover

Rail companies should not run trains for profit but to protect the people’s universal right of mobility.

Giorgio Negro, London

It ought to be obvious that a well managed single entity can be more cost effective than if the same enterprise is divided into a multiplicity of separately managed parts.

Peter Fraenkel, London

Put back public quality, get rid of private profit from an essential public service.

Geoffrey Griffiths, York

Please re-nationalise British Rail services.

Katherine Stansfield, Frinton on Sea

Privatisation of the railways has been a disaster. The only people to benefit are shareholders – passengers have been screwed over.

Keith Smith, Hounslow

People before profit means Bring back British Rail.

Eithne Bennett, York

Critical infra-structure like railways should be owned by the public as in many European countries.

Barry Graham, York

Please put Britain’s railways back to when we had the most efficient railways in Europe, i.e. when they were state run, like the majority of European ones are now.

Richard Lewis, Sheffield

Fully nationalised railway please.

Patrick Kite, Forfar

It’s the right thing for the country and the hard working commuters of Britain deserve a better railway system.

Eliot Johnson, Devizes

Nationalise the rail network.

John Greig, Edinburgh

There are certain things that should be owned by the state and not run for profit. Transport is one.

Dave McCrossen, St Neots

Italy has not learned the lesson. It is making the same mistake. I hope Britain understands that its railway system is a national treasure. Bring back British Rail.

Stefano Giussani, Lecco, Italy

The only way forward for our railways is in the public sector as a non profit company. No greedy shareholders and over-paid directors to cream off the profits.

Robin Lenox, Whippingham, Isle of Wight

I fully support this petition.

Donna Macpherson, Bathgate

Privatisation only benefits a few and British Rail should be run for the many.

Paul Wardle, Derby

I had the privilege of working for British Rail with highly professional people who were proud of their Railway. I also had the displeasure of working for Railtrack.

Nick Bailey, York

British Rail – the clue is in the name. It should all be under one organisation.

Lyn Mackfall, Doncaster

To continue as we are now is destructive. Good public transport is a necessity. Parliament has yet to appreciate the importance of cheap public transport.

Callum Thomas, London

We’re being subject to legalised robbery. HS2 will bring more of the same. Fat profits and a service priced for the rich or on expenses.

John Keith, Appleby

Railways are vital infrastructure and need investment throughout the country to benefit all.

Margaret Castro, York

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

Nineteen years of commuting – and rail is by far the best, but no longer the cheapest way.

Michael Wilson, Bexhill-on-Sea

We are subsidising private railways for private profit. Let’s re-nationalise for public benefit.

Judith Reynolds, Sheffield