I refer to letters from M Ross, (June 8) and Mr Law (June 13) about opening the "Willingdon chord" railway line.

The matter is not as straightforward as it might seem.

First, new facilities are funded by Network Rail, which doesn't go in for speculative investments just because it would be nice to have them. It invests on the basis of a business plan showing what is proposed would be profitable.

Such a business plan would probably have to come from Southern, the relevant train operating company.

But does Southern want the "chord" reinstated? If it does, has it worked out a business case and would it bring in revenue?

If the same number of trains were to be operated, Eastbourne would lose some services. Will this mean commuters from Eastbourne would have to park at Polegate instead of those from Bexhill?

To compensate, trains could be split, with one half going to Eastbourne and other to Hastings. But this would mean extra units, which would be expensive.

Mr Law should know the only reason for rapidly replacing the old slam-door stock was the edict from the Health and Safety Executive.

-RFJ Turtle, Hawkins Close, Shoreham-by-Sea