2 OCTOBER 1999, Page 33

Run out of steam

From Mr Patrick Green Sir: Robbie Millen thinks that excuses given for railway delays are a reminder of man's capacity for stupidity and pride ('Heard any good excuses lately?', 25 September).

I was going to work on a Circle Line train the other day, when it suddenly stopped between St James's Park and Westminster. After a few moments came a voice, 'I would like to apologise to passengers. This train has been stopped due to. .. . ' The voice stopped, too. We all looked at each other. We looked up. Eventually, 'Oh, bollocks. I can't think of an excuse — we've just stopped.' Candour, too?

Patrick Green

2 Harcourt Buildings, Temple, London EC4