HOW right Dave Dalton is (D&S Times, Feb 24) to correct Chris Gallacher of Redcar Ukip about foreign aid.

We can, if we wish, properly fund the NHS without stopping aid for those far less fortunate than ourselves.

But on the same letters page last week, Chris Gallacher is at it again, taking a valid observation and reaching a totally illogical conclusion.

Mr Gallacher correctly observes that, not counting HS2, Government spending on transport infrastructure is almost £2,000 per head in London compared to £190 per head in the North-East. He is justified in bemoaning this fact and saying we need more spending in our region, but why then launch into a rant about HS2?

Contrary to what Mr Gallacher says, Stage 1 of this project received Royal Assent last week and hopefully Stage 2, which will extend the line to just south of York, will follow shortly. When this happens, the four track east coast main line north of York can be upgraded at minimum expense to permit trains to run 140mph, or even faster, on this stretch and bring Darlington to well under two hours from London.

HS3, linking the major cities of the north will complement HS2 creating a strong and powerful economic area right across the north of England.

Despite what Mr Gallacher says, high speed trains are not obsolete, they are a key element to our future prosperity.

One has only to look at the success of such high speed links in other parts of the world to realize this.

Furthermore, much of the current rail network is already running at full capacity (including the East Coast Main Line) and passenger numbers continue to grow.

The UK is ideally suited to high speed rail lines; London and Edinburgh are not even 400 miles apart and “classic compatible” trains will enable the north to benefit from shorter journey times, even before Stage 2 is built.

A new line will not only help to eliminate much short haul domestic air travel it will provide urgently needed capacity for more trains.

I would urge Mr Gallacher to take a trip on HS1 through the Channel Tunnel and visit the city of Lille to see for himself how a city, which was in a depressed industrial and former coal mining area, can prosper and benefit from high speed rail.

What better way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025 than with trains from the town which can run up to 200mph?

Dr Andrew J Newens, Darlington