To: CEO, South West Trains
The Rt Hon MP for Emsworth

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to the journey I had on Friday between Emsworth and Gatwick Airport, to highlight the appalling state of our national rail system. It is incomprehensible that as the world's 6th largest economy, we can't do better. I observed the following:

1. The tear-prickingly expensive ticket price: 2 singles, £30, journey time 1hr 10 mins.
2. The crumbling plasterwork and flaking paint.
3. The one piece of hi-techery, the dot matrix display and voice announcement system, helpfully telling me every two minutes that it was broken.
4. The lack of ramp/lift. Not helpful with 2 kids under 3, one pushchair and a large lime green suitcase. (Lime green, yes. No confusion on the carousel for us.) Doesn't this also break some recent disability discrimination legislation?
5.... and perhaps most importantly, no trains. OK there was some "flooding", "a landslide" and a "lightning strike," but instead of saying euphemistically - between announcements that the annoucement machine was broken - that there are "delays", just 'fess up and say "there are no trains for a bit. Get a taxi. Sorry."

On a lighter note - £70 lighter to be precise, thanks to the very reliable Havant Cars - we did make our flight. Apologies to everyone whose toes we trod on (literally) in the stampede to get through security in time.

Mrs ex Pat Rantalot