THE Government seems set to sell off the East Coast Main Line and has three potential bidders, while also looking at ways to innovate and grow the service.

I would suggest a direct route to France, with a new link from south of Peterborough and joining the existing high-speed route this side of the Thames.

This would be attractive to European travellers and take pressure off the London transport system. The distance of approximately 450 miles from York to Paris could be covered in about three hours.

So that the public have a direct involvement, shares could be issued to each adult and they could sell them if they wished.

The general public would be the owners as we currently are. The bidders would have their profits from sales.

Colin Clarke, The Crescent, Stamford Bridge, York.