ONE of the hot topics of this election is rail privatisation and in Warrington we suffer from the effects of this policy.

Virgin has a monopoly of direct trains to Crewe (24 miles).

There are two different single fares for the direct journey on any Virgin train, £15.80 (set by Northern) and £11.80 (set by London Midland).

Neither company operates this route and the latter doesn’t even serve Warrington!

You can even buy a Northern ticket via Manchester (47 miles) for £14.80.

However, Virgin doesn’t see fit to set a fare.

Compare this with Runcorn to Crewe (22.5 miles) where London Midland provides competition.

Here, the single is £8.50 (set by London Midland and valid on Virgin trains) but, in this case, Virgin sets a Virgin-only fare of £6.80.

Clearly, Virgin isn’t interested in offering Warrington passengers a fair fare and is happy to perpetuate its monopoly – some years ago it successfully blocked a proposal by London Midland to run a Preston- Birmingham/London service.

Warrington is in a key position in the rail network – Crewe and Birmingham offer a wide variety of connections to the south and west of the country.

However, Virgin’s focus on London as its primary destination restricts these opportunities by restricting services and fares where passengers need to transfer to other train operating companies.

Clearly rail privatisation isn’t working for Warrington.

MARK ENDERBY Warrington