REGARDING the Manchester to Clitheroe rail service, I live near this line and observe the trains going by.

To the casual observer, they appear to run like clockwork; much to the satisfaction of someone who was delighted to see the reintroduction of the Blackburn/Clitheroe service five years ago. I believe the experiment is due for review in May this year.

I recently travelled to Manchester and witnessed the conductor involved in a disagreement with a young passenger about his ticket. In the end, the young man had to pay up, but the rail official gave him his number and told him he was free to make a complaint.

I mention this to point out that not all complaints are about reliability of the service.

I believe one train recently failed to turn up during rush hour five mornings out of seven. This is intolerable and needs investigation and action, but a largely regular and reliable service can get a bad name by just one such incident at peak time.

What do need attention are waiting, access and information facilities at cold, draughty depressing station.

Now, I will keep my head down and wait for the flak from regular travellers!

JOHN GRAHAM, Moorland Road, Blackburn.

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