I’m all for it but it is as likely as bringing back clause 4 on the Labour party’s manifesto.

Pierre Clary, Barking

I can remember with happiness before Beeching and privatisation.

James Keiller, Cheltenham

The sooner we return to a transport system operated for the benefit of the fare-paying passenger, rather than the convenience of railway staff, the better.

Ian Wilson, Croydon

The so called privatisation is costing the tax payer more than the nationalised railway ever did with duplication of jobs. Surely it’s time to stop this nonsense?

Derek Jones, Tyldesley

Cheaper to run a car than go on a train. Yes, you have traffic, but you’re in your own world and not stuck thinking “Why am I paying this much just to get to work?”

Paul Chappell, London

British taxpayers should own British Rail, not French taxpayers or private investors.

Dorothy Granville, Middlesbrough

British Rail, though cash-starved, was actually very efficient. Rail costs after privatisation are running at 20% above inflation.

Chris Jones, Letchworth

It’s the only economical way, and the only way progress will be measured from the user’s perspective.

Nick Moxsom

The worst privatisation. Bring it back into public ownership.

Lynn Rimmer, Bath

An affordable and functional public transport system is necessary for a nation to thrive.

Dave Lee, Dartford

Whatever happened to plans for a mixed economy, combining the best of private and publicly owned services?

Hugh Daniels, Henfield

It’s plainly obvious that this is not saving the people money. Typically we pay for the upkeep while private companies profit.

Glynn Smith, Rotherham

I think governments bail out privatised rail companies so I think they should be run as a nationalised industry.

Bill Murray, Fair Isle

Please bring back the railways into public ownership.

Lynda Russell, St Leonards-on-Sea

I totally agree.

Alexander Pike, Hastings

Fares are too high. We need stricter government regulations so there are no benefits for opting for a car over a train.

Jonathan Browning, Leeds

Bring back British Rail and create a (North-South) Leeds metro line. Also no to HS2.

Reece Churm, Leeds

A country-wide rail system needs a single national point of control and investment.

Carolyn Saunders, Stoke-on-Trent

Restore to the public what was so cynically taken from them. Public services and utilities should be run for the common good, not for private profit.

Neil Saunders, London

East Coast seems to have done marvellously in public hands.

Janet Longbottom, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Come back, British Rail. All is forgiven.

Ann Williams, London

I was there. On April 1st, All Fools’ Day, when it was shambolically moved over.

Bernard Bannister, Peterborough

I once tried to get a refund at Liverpool Street for a ticket I’d bought in Luton. That experience alone is enough to make me think this madness must end.

Emma Macbeth, Oxford

Let’s go forwards not backwards. It worked for us when BR was running from the 50s to the late 80s.

Ian Cook, Manchester

Bring back public railways.

Ali Ali, London

The current success of the East Coast line is testament enough to how much this needs to happen.

Michael Henson, Pickering

Fragmentation is a disaster for reliability and accountability.

Joe Ramsbottom, Ulverston

BR was far from perfect, but should have been fixed, not replaced. It is obvious that removing money to pay lawyers and dividends is just a waste.

Andy Upton, Coldingham

Privatisation is a crime.

Barry Brodbin, Broadstairs