SINCE rail privatisation the frequency and speed of trains on the East Coast main line has improved markedly.

Following the accident on this line at Hatfield rail users will now be concerned whether the safety regime of track inspection and maintenance was correspondingly enhanced in support of the increased traffic loading.

The current traffic and operational speeds will be placing additional wear and tear on the track to that historically experienced in British Rail days.

Greater wear and tear, with the need for appropriate levels of maintenance, must therefore be uppermost in minds with proposals for tilting trains in the offing which will be operating at even higher speeds than existing train units.

However, can a rail operating regime based on fines for unpunctuality ever be reconciled with safety?

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road,

Rawcliffe,

York.