26 NOVEMBER 2005, Page 23

Our improving railways

From Adrian Lyons, CBE

Sir: It is rather sad that the only journalism which Andrew Gilligan believes has any validity is that which is remorselessly negative (‘The silence of the lambs of the BBC’, 12 November). This to such an extent that a relatively neutral piece on the railways on the BBC’s website is denounced by him as a ‘sell-out’ to big business. I did not dupe the BBC reporter into writing a prorail piece — by most measures Britain’s railways are improving and in this context any balanced and fair report would reflect this. Moreover, passengers and taxpayers were given free rein to voice their opinions via messages posted under the piece.

Adrian Lyons Director-general, The Railway Forum,

London SW1