SIR — I share S J Mann’s enthusiasm for the reinstatement of the Taunton commuter trains (Your letters July 21).

During one snowy period in a late 1960’swinter, the A358 was blocked and the A39 to Bridgwater was virtually closed. The only way I could get to my job in Taunton was by train.

My relief at being able to get to work was accompanied by my pleasure at the views of the sheer magic of the snow-covered countryside between Minehead and Taunton.

This alternative has been unavailable since January 1971.

It is, however, so easy to let one’s enthusiasm for the reinstallation of the commuter trains distort one’s opinion on its feasibility.

The announcement in the same edition of the Free Press that bus service 28 will once again include Brushford in its timetable provides an insight as to why such enthusiasm may cloud one’s judgement of the possibility that the commuter link can be restored.

In considering the restoration one factor looms large in any analysis.

This is “ convenience” which can be best illustrated by observing that there are about 40 bus stops between Minehead and Taunton. There are only ten train stops.

With one or two exceptions, this inevitably means that the distance from the stops of any sizeable habitation is greater for the train than the bus commuter. In some cases this amounts to more than a mile.

Perhaps one of my fellow enthusiasts can suggest an answer, but I fear that until we have mastered time-travel the problem will remain.

Of course, when this is available, we can dispense with the need to commute by buses or trains!

Peter Kirkham,

Martlet Road,

Minehead.­