Chester Earnshaw (Letters, June 11) is typical of people who wish to knock the railway.

He decries Southern's effort to improve things without giving it a chance to do so and uses unorthodox and incorrect information to argue his case. He starts by saying you have to change trains six times to reach the Isle of Wight from Hassocks.

The journey he describes is to Yarmouth and this journey can be achieved by three changes if you go via Clapham Junction, although the usual route from Sussex to the Isle of Wight is via Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde. This journey can be achieved at certain times with only one change.

Because it suits his argument, Mr Earnshaw then moves from Hassocks to Hove to quote a fare of £191 return for two people.

This is if you travel to Yarmouth at peak time. You can travel to Ryde via Portsmouth Harbour for as little as £48 for two people or £32 if both travellers have Railcards.

If you are going to criticise the railway, please paint a fair picture of the situation and look to the future not the past and give Southern a chance to keep its promise.

-R N Hoiles, Burgess Hill