The longer this goes on, the harder it will be for people in this country. We want a functional and fair railway system like the rest of Europe.

Enrico Policardo, London

All my formative years from age 11 to age 18 were spent travelling smoothly to school daily via British Rail so naturally I’m in favour of this petition.

Naomi Bowen, Banbury

Instead of HS2, why not reinstate quadruple track on West Coast mainline, or rebuild the Great Central line (continental loading gauge)?

David Kitson, Bradford

I remember the days before privatisation. The service was definitely cheaper and, for a customer, easier to use and understand.

Ruth Rolfe, Ely

You will put a lot of people out of work and shatter people’s lives. Keep it as East Coast please.

Shelley Beckett, South Shields

Privatisation does not work. The interests of the shareholders far outweigh any interests of passengers. Re-nationalise a.s.a.p. please.

Bob Bache, Brixham

Wonderful to see this happening. Bring back British Rail (although with better time-keeping and better sandwiches.) All power to this campaign.

Rob Hopkins, Totnes, Devon.

All British utilities should be publicly-owned, not just British Rail, but all public transport and water, electricity and gas, and all should be run as not-for-profit.

Douglas Carey, Epsom

National infrastructure does not conform to typical capitalist theory. Monopolies and exploitation are inevitable.

Iain Fletcher, Coventry

Oh for the days of a joined-up service from wherever to wherever. One unified service please.

Robert Bracegirdle, Leicester

Let’s get back to sensible rail integration and affordable fares in line with the rest of Europe.

Margaret Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

British trains are the worst in Europe. Check out German, French, Spanish and Italian.

Lynne Clark, Sheffield

A key strategic resource that needs government ownership and control with a not-for-profit ethos.

Stephen Dixon, Hebburn

Unreliable service is ruining the quality of my family life. To consistently have trains from Victoria to Hove cancelled is appalling.

Catol Kirkman, Hove

Please let us have a train system that a modern country like ours deserves.

Giles Long, St Albans

One country, one rail network, one railway operating company.

Kevin Slade, Saltford

Re-nationalise our railways immediately.

Sam Bird, London

British Rail should never have been privatised in the first place.

Jane Morris, Bedford

Is it true that we subsidise German rail fares.

David Dickson, Nelson

As the network stands it’s a shambles and an utter disgrace to our country and its citizens.

Ian Birtwistle, Southport

BR wasn’t perfect, but it was affordable and, for the most part, worked well. The current system of private monopolies is only of benefit to railway company shareholders.

Howard Spencer, Hove

If British Rail do make a comeback, hopefully it will mean BR engineering and more capacity on XC’s Voyager routes as these are some of the longest direct in the UK.

Mitchell Hurd, Abingdon

Too expensive, delays and dirty trains. Sort it out!

Phillip Harvey, London

The railways could be run more cheaply and more efficiently if they were returned to public ownership.

John Wilson, Sheffield

Just another competition mess handed to speculating shareholders to make money at the expense of the commuting populace. Re-nationalise. Re-investment.

John Howard, Hemel Hempstead

The railways are abysmal. If the railways were run for a good service and not profit more people would use them. And we’d help the environment.

Tom McGiveron, Lower Peover

get rid of unrealistic and confusing fare structures. Let’s go back to having fixed fares for journeys so we all know where we are.

Carol Rowett, Berwick-upon-Tweed

I believed then and I believe now that BR should never have been privatised. Everything I forecast would happen has come true.

Christopher Wade, Grimsby