LAST week I was on the receiving end of a truly appalling bout of rail disruption while attempting to commute.

The Argus reported a catalogue of disasters including a broken rail in the Clayton Tunnel and a signals failure in Worthing. This latter fault had the added benefit of bringing the town's traffic to a standstill as well as the trains because of level crossings.

I have given this problem considerable thought recently as I found myself sitting for long periods in waiting rooms and stationary trains. I believe I have an answer. Reintroduction of the Roman practice of decimation.

This may seem a little drastic as it required one in every ten men in a legion to be executed. However the idea does have its merits, particularly if applied to executives first. There is, after all, little point in culling people who can actually do the job.

Based on the Roman experience it would certainly focus the minds of the survivors. I'm willing to bet our railways would be unrecognisable within three months.

  • Bill Hammond,
    St Andrew's Road, Tarring