TRANSPORT ON TRACK: I often read TfL is working towards a better transport system for London. Many years ago I drew up an idea and sent it to government departments and local newspapers. The idea was to use existing rail track from Dartford, Kent and the Underground network. North Kent is served by a one-live line track, while the Underground is on a two-live line track. Why not add the second live line and run the Underground on the same track? This is done from Kew to Gunnersbury and could be done on the line from Dartford via Bexleyheath to New Cross, then a slip line which puts trains onto the Tube network at Aldgate East. This has got to be half the cost and little disruption.

Lawrence Rawlinson, Welling

PAID TWICE?: While pleased to read about Gravesend Grammar School for Girls’ favourable Ofsted report (News Shopper, May 21), I was surprised to learn the award was being shared among staff who, after all, are only doing the job they are paid to do. Perhaps it could have been better spent on the accommodation which did not do so well in the report. This would benefit both the teachers and the girls who have also worked hard to achieve the good results. Name and address supplied

JIM-FREE GYM: Your May 21 edition had an advert for two women-only gyms, encouraging women to join up. This is obviously a very laudable thing but when are you going to feature men-only facilities? It seems men are being treated as second-class citizens. My wife and I would love to go to a gym together. When are you going to feature such a place? Come on, treat us men as equals. George Patterson, Welling

BEAR SCARE: The great Russian brown bear is being hunted to near extinction. In Russia today, hundreds of mother bears are shot and their cubs are left to starve or freeze to death. Those who survive are sold and end up as props for street photographers. Any readers who want to protest about this can write to President Vladimir V Putin at Kremlin, Korp 1, Moscow, Russia.

Roy Hollister, Horton Kirby

GEOGRAPHY WARDEN: Re: star letter of May 21. It puzzles me why you have shown a traffic warden in Blackheath Village when your article refers to an incident in Bexleyheath. Did you get your heaths muddled?

Bernard Bigginton, Sidcup EDITOR’S REPLY: I assure you our geography is quite sound. The picture merely illustrates an issue on which many readers have the same strong feelings, regardless of where they live.