Hard seats everywhere

I recently travelled from Brighton to Bedford off-peak, on one of the fast-becoming notorious Class 700s.

Contrary to Barry Hill’s experience ( Open Access, RAIL 840), I found the ride of my generally lightly loaded vehicle acceptable. The additional information systems were admirable, although do I need to hear the full list of stations (up to 26) that are yet to be visited after every stop?

Yes, the seats for what was a two-and-a-half-hour journey were much too hard. I even had to switch from a window seat on one side of the carriage to another on the other side, after about an hour, to offer (as it were) the other cheek!

But I travelled on one of the new Eurostar trains to Paris in Leisure Select recently. The seats look attractive enough, but turned out to be similarly hard and with a back that has little relation to that of a human being. Siemens again!

However, I agree entirely with Barry’s comments regarding the

interior mock-up of the Class 720. If the French TGVs can be generous with (in the main) comfortable window seating, particularly in their competitively priced First Class, then so can we.

It really is time for the powers-that-be to listen to and take notice of the concerns and complaints of their fare-paying passengers. John Tompsett, East Sussex