Let’s talk sense about the Windermere railway. The entire UK rail network only carries 16 per cent of public transport journeys, mostly commuters into cities. Buses carry 67 per cent - bluntly, to most people, trains aren’t important. Yet we spend huge amounts of taxpayers money on them.

Let’s start with electrification. When we moved back to Kendal ten years ago there were about eight through trains daily from Windermere to Manchester Airport, all operated by diesels. Those trains went because some clerk in the Department for Transport decided to move the line from Trans Pennine based in Manchester to Northern, based in Preston, nothing to do with customer needs.

Claiming we need electrification to have through trains is nonsense. At cancellation the Windermere scheme was quoted as £35 million, enough to keep the rural buses axed by Cumbria County Council for 20 years.

It would have cost more - the Great Western electrification has soared from £800 million to £4 billion, has been reduced and is still unfinished. Cancelling the Windermere scheme was a sensible financial decision for everyone.

The environmental pollution caused by the overhead wires would be appalling. Look at the south end of Oxenholme station, where wires went up ages ago for diesel electric trains which are unlikely to happen - another waste of taxpayers' money. Remember, this pollution would be in the park daily, not just when a train passes.

Regarding connections from the North, the franchise states that the branch is a shuttle service connecting with London trains. Times and most fares are set by the DfT - the operators only carry out their micro management.

We need to reduce car usage in the park and the solution stares us in the face. A 555 bus can take around 35 cars off the road, goes right the way to Keswick and we have many more bus services able to make a contribution.

There’s excellent marketing, state-of-the-art vehicles and offers including boat tickets and car parking.

Buses are more accessible. Take Staveley - the bus is in the town centre, not on an outlying hill.

Buses are very flexible and can be adjusted to changing needs quickly and are provided at little cost to the taxpayer, unlike trains. Don’t forget tour coaches, which keep large numbers of cars off our roads.

Rather than harp on about dubious, expensive schemes, politicians should be looking right now at improving matters for buses and coaches used by the majority and making them even more attractive.

Roger Davies

Kendal