I see that there is a £253m gap in funding towards the extension of the Midland Metro.

As any railway fan will tell, we once had quite an extensive rail network in the Black Country. 

One could get to anywhere from these parts, without changing in many instances. 

Then the Beeching axe fell and many miles of track were closed down and lifted, leaving the trackbed to become overgrown and, eventually, to be built over.

If these closures had not taken place, or if the permanent way had been maintained, we would still have clearly defined routes along which the Metro could have run. 

The route from Wolverhampton via Priestfield could have been used, opening up areas to quick transportation. 

This is now impossible due to the fact that much building has taken place where the route once ran. 

It is a great pity that our Victorian ancestors spent so much energy and money building these railways, only to have them wasted by the modern businessmen who now control transport in this country.

The rebuilding of New Street station is a fine example of wastage. The powers-that-be tell us that the new station will be a landmark development, a credit to Birmingham, but they say nothing about increased traffic.

The reason why is simple. The station has two tracks in and two out on the main line, and tunnels are costly to build. Therefore, if they still keep to the existing tunnels, there is no way that the new station will safely handle extra services. So once again, facade and impression take front seat to customer service. Why not build a new station just outside of the city centre to share the load with the present New Street?

They spent a hell of a lot of money on the new Bull Ring, why not do the same with our railways and Metro?

The owners and developers, who are not railway men, haven’t a clue.

Cliff Millward, Sedgley Road West, Tipton.