Your editorial (1 November) notes the very poor current experience of rail users in the north of England. Here in Sheffield we are also having to adjust to a significant decline in the reliability and frequency of our bus services. In recent weeks, the services have been reduced by 30% overall by the privatised bus companies who run them.
On Tuesday morning my daughter waited for more than 40 minutes before a bus to school arrived, and ended up being late for class – a frequent occurrence nowadays. One bus did arrive, but was full (mainly of other schoolchildren) and so did not stop. This is just one example of how our public transport system has been eroded, damaging people’s ability to work, study, enjoy themselves, make friends, look after each other, and invest in their local communities.
Some people will switch to using their cars instead, if they can – the last thing we need, given the growing climate emergency and the often lethal levels of pollution in our towns and cities.
This is not a sustainable, civilised or ultimately cost-effective way to run things. It is shortsighted and damaging, and will cost us far more in the long run.
Clare Skidmore
Sheffield
• There is a simple solution to slow and poor delivery of infrastructure projects such as rail and broadband rollout in the regions: start building them at the extremities and work back towards the hubs. This would concentrate the London-centric and urban mindset, boost regions’ self-esteem, incentivise speedy completion and ease our lives considerably. Seeing the City wait for something we already had would give us warm and fuzzy feelings.
Dr Chris Haughton
Preesall, Lancashire
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
