So the Government is giving its mates the East Coast line, rather than have it return, as now, a nice profit for the UK as a whole. Sick.

Mark Harmelen, Manchester

Stupid and unfair prices. Bring Back British Rail.

Louis Graves, Stockport

A publicly-owned system could be very efficient and profitable as demonstrated by East Coast. Why sell it off? It belongs to us. Don’t make money out of rail users.

Philip Cheung, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Even were we to (hopefully) gain independence.

James Henry, Ladybank

I use the train loads and I would love it to be better.

Daniel Isles, Cirencester

I’m Dutch but it hurts to see what has happened to the great British railways.

Enrico van Leeuwen, Utrecht

They were my employer who I loved working for.

Julian Millichap, Bridgwater

Absolute Economic Sense

Jacob Tong, London

As long as BR learnt from the mistakes of the past I absolutely agree that the rail system should be in public ownership. More joined-up and with cheaper fares.

Stuart Hopkins, Torquay

Bring back the old times.

Gary Allen, Cheshire

Having now worked under a Government-run railway, although not perfect, let’s not go back unless GNER can return.

Gordon Craig, Edinburgh

Privatisation does not save money – I’ve been outsourced from a civil servant job and it is a fact that it costs more from private industry.

David White, Bicester

Let common sense prevail and break up the jolly club of profiteering companies with no competition. Essential services in public ownership is the best way forward.

Phil Sefton, Miskin, Pontyclun

Privatisation does not serve citizens or passengers. The East Coast service is making a profit, which goes into public coffers.

Joan Stewart

Having a privatised railway means it is run for private profit and not to serve the public. We need to reduce car journeys.

Alan Blackford, Crowborough

Privatisation has simply not delivered the benefits that were promised. For me, I never believed it would.

Mark Bentley, Leicester

Time to put an end to the absurd way our railway is currently run.

Karl Parsons, Plymouth

East Coast experience shows it can be done.

Mary Griss, Darlington

We deserve and need affordable and effective public services, driven not for profit but for the good of the wider community including the reduction of traffic.

Julietta Cochrane, London

Railway privatisation is proof of the saying ‘bullshit baffles brains’. Lies and propaganda from the railway industry crooks are not acceptable any more.

Alan Bond, Watchet

I want all utilities re-nationalised too.

Susan Gassaway, Alford

I’d like to see the disintegrated industry of ROSCOs and operators unified into one, employee-owned trust.

Rowan Bell, Nottingham

Keep staff at small stations. Ticket machines aren’t enough.

Helen Scott, Downham Market

Our train service is non-existent. Delays, cancellations, strikes.

Dhilllon Bainsford, Manchester

A national rail service should be part of a national integrated transport network including buses and trams.

Jack Wrigley, Stockport

The UK railways must be comprehensively directed and managed for the benefit of the British public and not the commercial companies that currently ‘own’ our railway system.

John Loney, Woking

British Rail should come back and run our railways.

Adam Halls, Bath

I was a young boy when British Rail disappeared. My family were a part of the railway family. The change was for the worse.

Andrew Mahoney, Maidstone

Our trains are a joke – dirty, smelly, uncomfortable and noisy. The first train on a Sunday is 12.30, so can’t get anywhere in time to get back.

Andrew Gammage, Skegness

It may have had its faults but BR was more economical about funding.

Andy Cordwell, Biggleswade