This is a time of continuing road congestion, with increasing train and tram use.

The Black Country and surrounding area is no exception. We already have a comprehensive network of railway trackbeds, most of which have been left disused (many through Dr Beeching’s axe). 

We need to make this the spine of a fully integrated tram/train/bus network, if we’re not to cover ourselves in tarmac.  This is why I share Michael R J Crump’s disappointment at the demise of direct Wolverhampton-Walsall rail services and agree that we should write to our MPs.

Sadly, his letter wasn’t fully understood by J Saunders, who should have realised the reason for the low usage both he and I have witnessed. 

The problem is that those who re-introduced direct Wolverhampton-Walsall services set them up for failure by their own dead hand. They did only half a job, by not replacing the stations at Willenhall, Darlaston and Pleck.

J Saunders believes that the vast majority of people prefer the convenience of bus services. What cannot be denied is that for the vast majority of people travelling between Wolverhampton and Walsall, bus services are not their preference but their only public transport option.

The transport authorities should try again, but this time with portable buildings and temporary platforms forming replacement stations and the odd new station for places such as Heath Town (at the junction with the proposed tram-line), to find out how successful this service really can be.

John Wilkes, The Paddock, Coseley.