Back from the brink again

There's good news for rail passengers today - a series of rail strikes has been called off by the train

drivers' union Aslef.

It's the second time this year that threatened industrial action has been stopped after last-minute talks with rail operators Connex SouthCentral.

It calls into question the style of management operated by Connex which has led to this brinkmanship when other rail companies have not generally been affected.

Connex does seem to have run into more than normal trouble since it took over the south central franchise.

In mitigation, it was awarded one of the most congested rail areas in Britain on a short franchise with largely clapped-out trains.

But the company will have to buck up considerably if it's to get a new and longer franchise against tough competition.

It has produced an impressive franchise plan but the question after this latest spat with a union is again whether the company can live up to its promise.

Homes hotspot

Horsham has become a hotspot for housing with homes being snapped up at high prices as soon as they are put on the market.

It's hardly surprising when the town has almost no unemployment, a pleasant environment and a

location close to both Gatwick and London.

Horsham already has a reputation for being one of the most prosperous places in the country and the hike in house prices will make it even more exclusive.

The district council will have to make sure more social housing is provided too at reasonable cost or people on below-average incomes will be unable to live there any more.

Present incorrect

Unemployed Jason Yates from Brighton couldn't believe his luck when money appeared in his bank account on his birthday as if by magic.

It was one of many payments totalling £6,600 paid into his account by mistake.

Yates spent the lot on drinking, socialising and gambling before the mistake was discovered.

Now he's in jail after admitting theft. But it must have been lovely while it lasted.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.