The two pages devoted to the report from the Association of Train Operating Companies in Tuesday’s Daily Echo (June 16), simply highlighted the facts of the national tragedy created by previous Tory and Labour governments in destroying a well planned and carefully thought out national rail network.

I say this not only in sentimental terms but more so for environmental reasons, and on the grounds of an integrated transport system, unlike today’s gridlocked road network.

As a former footplate fireman I, like many of my former colleagues, had the pleasure of firing on what was called the old road, running from Poole through places like Broadstone Wimborne, West Moors, Ringwood and Holmesley to Brockenhurst, with branch lines to Bath and Salisbury – many of them villages then, now large towns and increasing in population.

Yes, listen to the objectors cover any possible suggestion of the New Forest again seeing a branch line connection – we all know it has enormous hurdles and construction costs to overcome. But please lets us hopefully have a vision of a transportation system that is environmentally friendly, linking new towns to a new rail system, unlike this government’s plans – more high density developments without supporting infrastructure.

Cllr Ron Whittaker, Glenmeadows Drive, Kinson