LET'S GET THE RAILWAYS BACK ON TRACK

The last time I travelled to London it took a miserable five hours ( two to get to Leeds 25 miles away) and it was fortunate I was staying overnight with friends and had a chance to recuperate after a gruellingjourney. Weekend journeys all over the country are systematically made difficult by enginerring works. Some is necessary, some unavoidable. But it's simply appalling that Network Rail can't get its act together sufficiently to avoid the £14 million fine imposed by Ofrail for its failure to deliver in the New Year.
Ironically, the decision comes on the day that the NR chairman, Sir Ian McAllister - who stayed at home during the crisis, saying he would only get in the way if he went in to work - is officially knighted at Buckingham Palace. You couldn't, as they say, make it up.