In recent years there has been a dramatic staff reduction in the railway services that not only has affected the quality of the said services, but has also introduced serious safety and security issues.

I totally agree with the RMT conductors' strike. I think we need more people working in the railway services. Closed circuit cameras alone are a poor substitute for properly manned stations.

I am not a religious person myself, but since I read Rerum Novarum many years ago, during my studies at the School of Economics, I have believed that so called "streamlining" is merely a sham.

Cutting the numbers of staff is both immoral and impractical. I strongly reject any measures aimed at cutting down jobs and the so-called "value for money approach".

Behind every working person there is usually a family with needs to be met.

Moreover, as a customer, I have seen that every time they talk about "modernisation" somebody loses his or her job and services deteriorate further and further.

CARLOS CORTIGLIA

Lavengro Road

West Norwood

April 30, 2003 11:00