SIR — Re the proposed sale of the West Somerset Railway freehold, the Office of Rail Regulation has made it clear that if the freehold was sold to the West Somerset Railway Association then it would have to apply for new permission to allow the railway to continue operations.

This would also involve a public enquiry that the WSRA could ill afford.

In the meantime, the railway would close until the new permission was granted.

For Ms White to suggest that these are just "legal foibles" (Your Letters February 21) is simply disingenuous.

Furthermore, to imply that the company which has successfully run the railway for many years is in some way unsuitable to own the freehold is absurd.

 The best solution is for Somerset County Council to preserve the status quo by retaining the freehold.

Given the relatively small amount of money the council would receive for the freehold, and the costs it would incur in transferring ownership, a sale would not net it much.

Only the continued county council ownership can provide the long-term security that such an important community asset demands.

If it did this, and granted the WSR plc an extension to the existing lease, it would also receive some extra cash.

Peter Crosland,

Church Road,

Curry Rivel.