IT WAS very encouraging to read Anthony Wood's letter (Observer, June 12) pledging his support to keep the Watford to Brighton line running.

It is even more so with the petrol crisis as this endorses the need for a reliable public transport system.

We have become too dependant on cars to the extent that people have forgotten how to use those bent bits if gristle at the end of their legs. I think they are called feet.

But not only should the Watford to Brighton line be retained; we need more rail services spreading throughout the country.

Not only would this be ecofriendly as opposed to noxious fumes pumped out by cars, it would virtually alleviate the dreaded congestion charges.

The only people who would lose out would be the fat cat politicians creaming off the profits and those Nazi stormtroopers, latterly known as traffic wardens.

I think this is only common sense. but there isn't much of that about these days. Maybe it should be renamed 'rare-sense'.

KEITH HOWARD

Station Road Harrow