Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE four letters on the effects of privatised railways (20 November) reflect many received by the Times a century ago.
Governments, particularly those led by Gladstone, increasingly took control of the railway companies because of their cavalier attitudes. The nation was fed up with independent timetables, non-connecting trains and practices of no help to passengers. By 1890, ''competition'' was a dirty word, and the first National Railways Board was formed. Waterloo was then a terminus for five companies, each with its own ticket office and timetables; and one company, the LSWR, was in minute-by-minute conflict with the GWR operating from Paddington. Similar rivalry between the LNWR and the GNR led to dangerous races from Euston and King's Cross to Scotland, and rolling stock designed more for speed than comfort.
Those seeking the next turmoil need look no further than how the inter-war governments regulated to relieve the bus chaos. Then at why London's citizens created the Metropolitan Board of Works, forerunner of the London County Council and Greater London Council. It was because too many uncontrolled contractors were digging up the streets. Also worth considering is why all the original gas, light and coke companies were municipalised in the 1890s.
We are reliving the frustrations of the past through a government eschewing research because the results would interfere with its dogma. Most of what it pursues has failed before, and we will have to revert to all the previous alleviations, and pay for them again.
In the meantime, will someone tell us what will happen should one of these choice bits of private property go bankrupt? Particularly the one owning the Forth bridge.
Ralph Gee
Nottingham
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments