SIR — Regarding the Taunton - Minehead rail link I am not convinced of the economic viability of the service proposed by the TMRL.

It is one thing to run trains and another to get people to use them.

Perhaps Mr Walker could avail us with some information from his business plan in this respect, ie the operating cost — purchase or leasing of rolling stock, engineering facilities, wages and Railtrack and WSR track access fees, set against income from projected passenger usage (including cost of fares) and the cost of any subsidy to meet any shortfall.

Such information, which for a service to benefit the public and I think likely with a subsidy to do so, should be in the public domain.

I am by the way a volunteer on the West Somerset Railway, and before I am volunteered to work for another railway company as well I would appreciate the courtesy of being asked first.

These are my own views and I do not seek in any way to represent the policy or the views of the West Somerset Railway.

O C Harvey,

Blenheim Road,

Minehead.