Do it properly

I have witnessed dozens of similar tests in both rail and computer industries during the past 30 years and when put to real work, things very often cannot cope.

The suggestion by David Franks, managing director of South Central, that people with large cases can put them between seats is clearly blind to health and safety laws.

Has he thought about heavy cases flying about in a simple derailment?

Are people expected to climb athletically around because Mr Franks seems more concerned to cram in profits than keep exit routes clear?

Has he considered the rush hour, when trains operate at 35 per cent above design capacity?

Do it properly and have cleared space for standing, baggage and cycles and safe areas for disabled people, then have a real Pullman service for the rich who "want to pay for something better".

It is worrying to recall from an earlier report in The Argus that a disabled lady paid her own way to several trade fairs over the years to meet the designers to avoid this kind of trouble for our beleaguered railway, yet has been ignored quite effectively.

Will The Argus pursue the passengers' viewpoint and the watchdog's safety issues, having spun the designers' tale?

The interior design can yet be modified but only in the next four months. Meanwhile, the more I hear, the more convinced I am not to travel by a potentially dangerous form of transport, apparently operated by greedy money-spinners. What a way to run a railway.

-A former railway worker