Travelling by train
From Mr R.J. Hedley
Sir, You report (August 8) that it can
be cheaper for two people to travel to
Newcastle upon Tyne by car than by
train.
I regularly visit my mother-in-law in
Newcastle upon Tyne. For some time
I had been driving the 300 miles from
High Wycombe and then travelling
back on the same day. To include
visiting and resting time this journey
was taking 15 hours and the cost for
petrol alone had risen to more than
£50.
At 50 plus, I was also beginning to find
that it was taking a couple of days to
recover from the efforts of driving 600
miles in a day.
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Then, about 18 months ago, a friend
recommended the train. I now travel
from King’s Cross or Stevenage, a
journey which takes three hours, in a
reserved seat at a cost of £30 return.
I have made the trip about ten times
and the train has always been on time.
I can do the entire journey in less than
10 hours, read The Times from cover to
cover and be fresh and relaxed on
arrival. This is certainly not possible
on the M1/A1.
Trains might not be perfect, but there
are many things in their favour.
Yours faithfully,
R.J. HEDLEY
11 Old Kiln Road
Tylers Green, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire HP10 8AJ. |
