Use East Coast Main Line’s old trains for social distancing commutes

THERE is a ready-made solution to applying social distancing on the railways.

At present, the new trains on the Sheffield to Manchester service are three-coach diesel units.

At the same time, the eight-coach high-speed trains are being withdrawn and scrapped.

The answer is to refurbish the high-speed trains and use them on the Manchester service so that everyone can have some social distancing space.

These units may be getting too old to be cruising the East Coast main line at over 100mph, but they would be capable of many years of service on shorter distance routes where trains are restricted to lower speeds.

From: Arthur Strickson, Scarborough.

OVER the last few months, there has been well-deserved recognition for the outstanding work by the NHS in relation to coronavirus and their efforts cannot be overstated.

However there is “another” NHS which I wish to mention.

Recently I was taken into the cardiology wing of the Scarborough General Hospital as an emergency case.

During my time in Beech Ward I received what I considered to be the very best of treatment from a very professional and understanding staff.

Nothing was too much 
trouble for them and there was a trace of humour which, of course, enabled one to be more at ease.

From: Martin J Dodgson, Thwing.

IN his sermon (live-streamed from his vicarage), Father David Dixon, Parish Priest of St Saviour’s and St Martin’s Churches, Scarborough, conveyed his decision, after prayer and careful consideration, to enter his churches to say morning and evening prayer. In time of national crisis, churches should be made available, if not to individual people then for individual clergy to offer prayers on behalf of the people.

From: Graham Branston, Rawdon.

UNLIKE most other countries inflicted by this dreadful disease, there are no published statistics I am aware of for the number of survivors. What a shame since it is something to be proud of and it adds a more optimistic dimension to the grim statistics of mortalities.

Perhaps Matt Hancock could include the overall figure in one of his broadcasts; maybe a ratio of survivors to deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic.

From: Shirley Brewer, Sea View Drive, Scarborough.

FOOTBALL players spit regularly, but more so when remonstrated by the referee in a form of protest. Some managers and coaches do it too in the dug-out.

Would it be possible for them to wear masks or at least carry a handkerchief in their pockets, and the referee wear a visor too – or just ban it?

From: Barrie Crowther, Walton, Wakefield.

CONCERNING Dick Lindley’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, May 2) regarding closure of his fishing lakes. Who authorised the closure?

It appears the fishermen are well over the two metre limit. Is it just a Wakefield/West Riding directive?

I am almost sure South Yorkshire lakes are still open.

From: Jeane Macpherson, Burley in Wharfedale.

EVERY Saturday, I immediately turn to read Christa Ackroyd’s article.

By the time I have read it, I have tears in my eyes or a smile on my face, often both.

From: Stuart Clark, Aberford Road, Garforth.

ONE benefit from the lockdown is the pleasing absence of airborne litter on the highways, and my garden. I hope this continues.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor