It would be much better in public ownership. Look at East Coast. It did very well in public ownership.

A M Reeve, Edinburgh

Since privatisation took over, rail services are rubbish! Bring back proper train services!

Steven Evans

I would like to see it back like so many others.

Linda Barham, Harwich

The privatisation of our railways hasn’t worked. All the profits have been siphoned off to shareholders and not back into where it should be – education, health, social care.

Paul Chester, Leeds

It works in Northern Ireland. It works when the public sector has to step in to ‘hold the fort’ in between franchise holders or when they lose interest. Bring back BR.

Huw Thomas, Dorchester

Let’s stop handing over vast amounts of public funds to private corporates.

Paul Manning, Winchester

Give us back our railways.

Barry Cook, Barnsley

If we are trying to live a greener life and one that is not too costly then why are we privatising?

Esther Lusty, Durham

I might have to find a new job if the trains don’t improve.

Katy Makepeace-Gray, London

A public service for the public where the priority is for the public and not the shareholder.

Ralph Buckingham, Nottingham

The slogan says it all.

Edward Abel, Birmingham

Privatisation has been a ridiculously costly experiment. Everything on the railway now costs multiples of its value due to profits for long chains of contractors.

Phil Owens, Liverpool

Privately-owned railways and privately-owned rented property is making it impossible for me to continue my job working in London’s NHS.

Claire Moore, London

We never should have sold off the railways for private companies’ gain. The national rail network should run for people not private profit.

Sara Richards, Hurstpierpoint

I fully support the need for a publicly-owned and run railway in Britain.

Paul McNally, Washington

Stop ripping us off.

Raymond McIlreavy, Bonnybridge

Public transport is for the public good, not private profit

Marcus Bonner, Hitchin

Some rail fares are now just ridiculous and the profits being extracted by management companies should be kept by the people.

Mr. R. J. Aston, Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire

One railway publicly owned.

David Deadman, Belvedere

British Rail is best!

Paul Thacker, Newport

Interesting that the route taken back by the state is the profitable one now.

James Nicolson, London

What has happened with the East Coast main line proves privatisation is not progress.

David Simm, Warrington

We owned it and the government sold it without our permission. That’s theft in my book. We want it back please or we will have to take it.

Kathleen O’Neill, Hampshire

Why are Britain’s private railways owned by Europe’s nationalised railway companies? It’s madness.

Adam Costello, West Kirby

As a regular user of East Coast, I know that a publicly-owned rail company can deliver value and service, without handing over profits into the hands of the few.

John Conway, Edinburgh

Via subsidies, the rail companies are partly nationalised already – the East Coast mainline proves how it can be done properly.

Andy Butler, Northallerton

Rail fares are much too high. I can’t afford the exorbitant prices the franchises charge so have to use the car.

Ivor Seymour, Sunbury-on-Thames

I have long travelled the UK incredible railways. However every time I cannot help but feel that this incredible network would flourish under national ownership again.

Stanley Page, Derby

I would be so happy to have simpler and consistently priced train tickets.

Alison Cook, Swansea

I am very upset by today’s news about the East and West Coast mainlines. Yet another example of business and greed being more important than the needs of the nation.

Hannah Sawtell, Nottingham