HS2 will remain unconnected to the Continent

SIR – There is plenty of noise about HS2 connections with Manchester, Leeds and elsewhere – but not a thought about how all this connects with HS1, Europe and beyond.

The last we heard was that pedestrian links in London between Euston (the terminus for HS2) and St Pancras (for HS1) would be improved. Such insularity is astounding when China plans a “silk road” railway to link Europe and Beijing.

David Gibbs London SW4

SIR – Clive Petty (Letters, July 24), who calls for the introduction of continental-style double-decker trains, is wrong to focus simply on the need to raise bridge heights.

Double-decker train carriages sit low down between the bogies, whereas ours sit on top. Thus theirs are served by low-level platforms – unlike ours.

Peter Forrest London N6

SIR – The financial killer of double-decker trains would be “reconfiguring” tunnels.

Raymond Barry York