SIR - The Strategic Rail Authority has made public its plans to make selected rail routes more economically viable.

The suggestion is to use low cost trains, limited volunteer labour and involving the community. One of the lines suggested is the Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach line.

When this line was threatened with closure some years ago my grandfather Cllr Charles Ball and my mother Mrs F M Washbourne were instrumental in making the then Thornbury District/North Avon Council aware of the needs of the community. Severn Beach has grown in size since those years but still only has a token rail service.

I have previously written on this subject to yourselves and the present South Gloucestershire Council. I urged that the facilities at Severn Beach Station should be improved so that greater use could be made of the line by commuters and shoppers into Bristol, thereby saving the line for the future.

The only response I received was that our council were in discussion with Bristol City Council. The content of those discussions were not revealed.

I feel that the two councils involved should now discuss with the Strategic Rail Authority and take positive steps to ensure the future of the Severn Beach Line.

Mr C Washbourne Whitfield Road Thornbury