Rail rationing

SIR – You report (April 13) that rail passengers will face disruption and delays over Easter, on account of engineering work by Network Rail.

In the Lake District, we will be virtually cut off from the rest of the British rail network – both then and on subsequent bank holidays. These are some of busiest times of the year for our visitors. Our main industry is tourism, and many of the overseas visitors we attract like to travel by rail.

This follows a disastrous time for the Lake District last year, when our local operator, Northern, literally abandoned our link with the West Coast Main Line for a lengthy period. Surely Network Rail can find some way to share the misery more equitably. Tim Brown

Ambleside, Cumbria

SIR – JL Swindon (Letters, April 12) rightly says there is a clear and continuing need for paper rail tickets to be issued to those passengers who do not have smartphones or are reluctant to use electronic tickets.

This does not, however, mean that “hi-tech” tickets should not be developed, although of course there must be safeguards.

Ian Burton (Letters, April 11) identifies several problems, but he seems to be blaming the technology for the shortcomings of its users.

I have experienced delays when people with paper tickets have tried to use the wrong one at the barrier, or the magnetic strip on the ticket has become corrupted. And there is always someone who rummages endlessly to find their ticket. David Muir

Bristol