I refer to John Stanaway's letter (July 27) regarding connections with Eurostar services at Ashford International.

The stopping pattern at Ashford by Eurostar trains is irregular and a time allowance must be made for completion of necessary formalities (immigration, customs etc) both inwards and outwards.

Therefore, any regular interval train services from Brighton to Ashford will inevitably provide hit-and-miss connections and may not be popular. It has been tried before.

While I can see Mr Stanaway's point in regard to passengers to and from Sussex, whether the Southern lines are overcrowded or not is irrelevant.

Personally, I would not dream of going via Ashford, although when the Eurostar's London terminus changes in 2007 to St Pancras, one might have second thoughts.

-Robert Turtle, Shoreham