The fragmentation and privatisation of the railways greatly compromised safety which lead to the Hatfield disaster and the subsequent re-nationalisation of Railtrack.

Matthew Eades, Bromley

Bring back British Rail. I’m tired of the poor service, dirty trains, unhelpful staff and expensive travel. You want us off the roads? Make our trains are better.

Asher Coleman, Lowestoft

In an ideal world we would have an integrated transport system. Simple, straightforward and easy to reach your destination.

Brian Racher

Figures show that the government will be better off owning the rail network.

Keith Garr, Durham

How are these money-grabbing and subsidised services better than the old British Rail?

Linda Urquhart, Loughborough

Bring it back.

Rob Flann, Isleworth

I’m tired of crowded trains and never being on time. Northern has to be one of the worst rail operators – that has been proved, so please take it back.

Michael Chick, St Helens

I want to see all the railways back nationalised.

Anthony Protheroe, Bourne

It’s about time we shut down this bunch of crooks.

Bill Walker, Lye

Nationalise, strike, organise.

Liam Hawksworth, Leeds

It should never have been privatised and would cost less back in public hands.

Jessica Foster, Sheffield

The governments of this country, in the space of 50 odd years, have managed to undo so much of our technical advancement, we will soon be back in the dark ages.

John Ross, Edinburgh

The nationalised rail network should never have been privatised. The question of re-nationalisation should be apolitical and this process must happen without delay.

Vernon Hartley, Southampton

I think all the industries that were privatised should be re-nationalised.

Fiona Allan, Scunthorpe

British Rail gave a comprehensive straightforward national service instead of the current fragmented service which has to pay for dozens of chief executives.

Terry Bigley, Hinckley

Rail privatisation was botched and hurried.

Randall Northam, York

Rail needs to be nationalised to bring back unity of railways and maintenance of track. Stop the blame-game and nationalise.

Sylvia Ellis, Coventry

British Rail should be for the hard-working people and not a gravy train and toy for the rich.

David Hill, Welling, Kent

I’m sick of hearing things like your ticket is not valid on trains run by so-and-so, whereas with just one company, there would be no problem.

Barry Mahar, Frome

Let’s put this public service into the hands of people who have to listen to the public they serve rather than the enemies of public service.

David Fellows, Brighton

BR all the way for me, just because it should be a national institution for the people of Britain and not for profit even though I am a pro business person.

Mauro Bonventre, Didcot

My name is Britain and I still hate this sodding country.

Will Britain, Sutton Benger

British Rail was privatised entirely and knowingly for the benefit of private business at the public expense. We deserve better.

Alexandra Veres

BR cost taxpayers about a third of what the privatised railway does now and was cheaper for passengers too. Nationalise franchises when they expire for greater efficiency.

David Sterratt, Edinburgh

The rolling stock leasing companies swallow up a hundred thousand pounds a year for each and every train – that money goes straight down the drain.

Thomas John Wheeler, Dyfed

Rail for the people not profit.

Andrew Duncan, Chatham

Now Thatcher has gone, it’s time we erased the odious Me! Me! Me! legacy she and her minions left behind and saw the return of services run for people, not profit.

David Hurst, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Poor, poor service.

Dan Rees, Swansea