SIR, As a regular visitor to the Lake District I am writing to support the campaign to try to ensure that Virgin Trains continues to allow their customers' to get on and off these overcrowded trains at whatever station they wish to do so.

A few weeks ago I attempted to board a Virgin Voyager service at Lancaster with the intention of travelling directly down to Cheltenham. No such luck the train was as overcrowded as the London tube is at rush hour. After being advised to use an alternative late running service on another platform I finally arrived home several hours late.

I suppose the next initiative to improve their shambolic West Coast service will be to employ bouncers to make sure customers don't even try to get on or off the wretched trains.

Dr Charles Shepherd

Chalford Hill

Gloucestershire

February 4, 2003 16:30