Madam, Commuters start 2009 with above inflation increases in rail fares again, which as a driver and a rail user, I am appalled at. Making rail even less competitive will encourage further car use, which will contribute to traffic congestion and noise and air pollution on our roads. 

The cost of rail fares rose 17% above the rate of inflation 1997-2007 while motoring costs declined by 8% in real terms over the same period according to the Office of National Statistics.  The Government has a legacy of failing to properly support the railways but given that the Government is talking about infrastructure works as a way to get people back to work, now would be a fine time to improve the rail infrastructure in our region.

Felicity Norman, Green Party Prospective Euro-MP