ALL credit to the Department of Transport for looking ahead at the prospects for rail travel. The idea of super-fast and smooth trains travelling at 300mph, cutting an hour off the journey time from the North-East to London sounds great. We trust those who travelled to Germany to see a small-scale version of the technology enjoyed the trip.

Meanwhile, dissatisfaction among rail travellers with local services in the region remains high as a review of the existing commercial franchise gets underway. As users of the Transpennine network which serves Northallerton, Thirsk and Yarm have discovered, a franchise review and change in operator doesn't necessarily bring about improvements in services.

The franchise system is an example of the way the current structure of the rail industry in Britain doesn't work. The mix of public regulation and private enterprise is presently providing us the drawbacks of both and none of the potential benefits.

Those poor souls waiting on the windswept platform at Northallerton (waiting room closed) for the train that doesn't arrive might have cause to muse that certain fundamentals need addressing before 300mph supertrains.