I HEARTILY agree with Adrian Morgan that a station at Ripon is of the utmost importance (D&S Times, Mar 24).

After the Leeds to Thirsk line first opened, the line to Northallerton was added about two years later from Melmerby Junction. The line from Ripon ran, via Melmerby Junction, to Thirsk Junction as it was called, and the station at Thirsk was opened in 1844, where Thirsk station is now.

The line into the town was added later and was for freight only.

Passenger trains ran from Ripon to Thirsk until the mid 1950s. After that the line was used only for freight, until the whole rail link, and the passenger service from Harrogate to Northallerton was closed by Beeching.

While there has been much discussion about re-establishing the link from Harrogate through Ripon to Northallerton, it would make sense to put the line back from Ripon to Thirsk. Not only is it a shorter route, there is less infrastructure to contend with, and as Thirsk’s population is mushrooming, it would provide a useful link for passengers from both Thirsk and Northallerton wishing to travel to West Yorkshire without going through York.

But first things first. Let us fight hard to get the line from Harrogate to Ripon replaced.

J Wood, Ripon

THE station at Hurworth Place and Croft was the first train station on the now vanished Richmond line but was actually on the East Coast Main Line.

Can we ask the Parliamentary candidates for the Richmond constituency if they have any views on re-opening the station?

What a great pity Tony Blair did not take matters in hand when he was the Prime Minister and MP for Sedgefield.

Young people today can scarcely afford driving lesson let alone car insurance.

They need fast efficient good public transport to study opportunities and the jobs market in Durham, Newcastle, Northallerton, Thirsk and York.

Why not reopen the station at Hurworth and Croft – the working men’s club at Croft can certainly provide the car parking needed.

Nigel F Boddy, Darlington