'These websites say they indicate the cheapest fares, but in the case of off-peak day return travel, they don't!' - Your Letters: September 6

Whenever I search for train times and prices, when here on holiday, at Traveline or national rail websites, I am offered exorbitant prices for single journeys, which can vary widely from train to train; a return fare in excess of the anytime day return fare indicated on the online page; a monthly off-peak return fare, but no standard off-peak day return fare!

These websites say they indicate the cheapest fares, but in the case of off-peak day return travel, they don't! I am 76. It is not easy for me to use a computer. I do not have a bank card. The Shifnal station is unmanned. I would like to know if there is a good website for train fares that I can trust.

By the way, each year I am less able to walk unaided. Next summer, I might have to spend my holiday on the Shrewsbury platform at Shifnal’s station through being unable to use the bridge over the railway lines, the only access to and from this platform. I love the countryside here but I don't get about as much as I would like to because of poor and misleading information about fares, and, for example, I did not know you need to be a mountain climber to get on and off at Hopton Heath! Ouch!

Clive N Booth, Shifnal

CONFUSION OVER UK'S ACCOUNTS

Just over 12 months ago Labour came into power. They declared they had discovered an unknown debt of £25 billion. To solve this problem they would put VAT on private schools, increase employers national insurance payments and stop winter fuel payments to pensioners. Apparently it took the Conservative government 14 years to achieve this debt. It now appears this government, with all its difficult decisions has managed to surpass the previous government achievements by amassing a £40 billion debt in 12 months. But on the plus side the winter fuel payments have been reinstated as the economy is in a better state than they expected!

Keith Day, Gornal Wood

PASS ON BIKES TO NEW OWNER

People riding motorbikes and quad bikes unlawfully face prosecutors and the crushing of their machines by police.

However, if the quad bikes were instead sold to farmers, or legitimate track owners, and the money given to charity, then it would make more sense than destroying good machines that could be used, not wasted. I know roadworthy cars seized by the police are sold on to new owners, so why not quad bikes?

W F Kerswell, Picklescott

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