I refer to Helston Packet article and online article, Railway line idea is "pie in the sky."

Cornwall Councillor Bert Biscoe states if a local interest is expressed, that restoring a commercial passenger railway in Helston with which to link with other stations in Cornwall is possible. He appears to think of it as a possible medium to long term objective.

He says "do not worry about the cost" and that "the line could be diverted round houses."

After the Truro bus lane fiasco with which Councillor Bert Biscoe was seemingly involved, that has subsequently seen thousands of pounds of tax payers' money wasted, I really wonder how and why he can possibly make these comments about a fictional Helston railway line.

Cornwall Council planning department seemed to show little support for the existing Helston railway and its very feasible plans for an extension and provision of a station platform. Therefore, I wonder why would Cornwall Council support the reinstatement of a railway line for commercial use. Does Councillor Bert Biscoe not think objectors would appear in droves if a railway line was going to be installed around the gardens of properties. Added to which, he fails to say where the money would come from. There already seems a lack of investment in the main rail route into Cornwall. It has I believe no guaranteed funding for the future, in order to keep it free from sea invasion, or to provide an alternative inland route. Unless Councillor Bert Biscoe has won the lottery and is keen to share it with a rail operating company, then I fail to see how he even thinks a commercial railway for Helston will ever be possible. He mentions "buying back land," is he not aware most of the land on which the original station and tracks were sited, now has houses sitting on it. Most readily available land in Helston I believe is earmarked for housing.

There is nothing I would like more for Helston than a commercial railway line and station. However, I find it quite worrying that a Cornwall councillor can suggest something like this and actually believe the funds would ever be available for it.

He would need a rail operating company to express an interest in financing and running it, a track maintenance company such as Network Rail to maintain the signals, rails, monitors etc. It would have to be financially viable for a rail operating company, in order for them to offer realistic ticket prices.

Having had 25 years of involvement with rail operating companies, I think it is safe to say, that I believe Councillor Bert Biscoe has absolutely no idea what it would take to achieve and run, particularly financially. So Councillor Bert Biscoe "please explain" where would the funding come from?

Gill Zella Martin