I READ with interest the article entitled Safeway Speaks Against Rail Link in the Evening Press (Saturday, September 23). Mouchel, which carried out the preliminary feasibility study into the proposed rail link between Pickering and Malton on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, is a reputable firm with considerable experience in this particular sphere of work.

Its report is well written, impartial and carefully considers each potential problem before concluding that 'there are no physical obstacles that cannot be reasonably overcome'.

Unfortunately, the area selected by Safeway for its new store, to the south of the A170 in Hungate, leaves no room for the passage of even a single track railway line. This may, perhaps, explain why Ms Hostler makes such exaggerated claims regarding the adverse impact of a rail track through the centre of Pickering.

Firstly, with present day technology, incorporating CCTV cameras, the delay at level crossings need only be a few minutes, little more time, in fact, than waiting for traffic lights.

Furthermore, the train service, York to Whitby/Whitby to York, is unlikely to be more frequent than hourly, consisting of a one-or two-coach diesel unit which would take, at slow speed, only a few moments to cross a road. Therefore, the rail link would not, as suggested, cause gridlock in Pickering.

Secondly, there would be neither a need nor a requirement for a two-metre high safety fence or wall.

For example, there are many instances of railway tracks, including the Sheffield tram lines, not surrounded by walls or fences two metres high. In places, a fence/wall little more than half this height would suffice. A wall could be made of attractive stone and there is no reason to suppose that this would cause any undue inconvenience.

During the summer when the traffic is heavy, the A170 is far more likely to cut the town in two than would the railway, as Ms Hostler suggests.

Finally, while I fully appreciate that Safeway may require more space, it is a pity that Pickering has to choose between having either a new store or the railway.

Why should the town not have both?

P T Coombes,

Cropton,

Pickering.