SIR, May I congratulate Railtrack for doing such an excellent job, with its contractors, in relaying the Oxenholme to Windermere railway line.

This was completed on schedule and only a minor hiccup with the signalling at 6.30am on Monday morning stopped the first train from running.

The replacement coaches and minibuses provided for the fortnight, by among others Staintons, Leck, Bibby and Apollo 8, also played their part.

Having travelled the length of the line on Monday I can report how smooth a ride it is, especially on the new trains.

I would encourage everyone to sample this high quality and environmentally-friendly form of transport during the coming weeks.

Leave the car at home for once; trains even run on Sundays from mid-morning commencing the Easter weekend.

What a pity therefore, having spent £6,000,000 on this investment, that new trains (which probably cost in the region of a further £1 million) and which are capable of 90mph, are only permitted to do 5mph across the unprotected level crossing just beyond the Windermere end of Burnside platform and 20mph over a little used farm crossing between the Staveley bypass bridge and Ings.

These issues must be addressed, along with the even more significant enhancement of the capacity of the line, if the railway companies and travellers are to gain the full benefit.

Robert Talbot

Kendal