AS a resident of Kington, I am delighted and intrigued at the idea of the old railway line from Leominster to Kington being re-opened one day. In the meantime, would it not be worth considering a far simpler and cheaper project? I refer to the possibility of building a railway station south of Hereford.

For those unfortunates who live south of the river Wye, the prospect of catching a train from Hereford Station must be fairly daunting, with the often-massive traffic congestion leading up to the Belmont roundabout and then the struggle round the ring road making the whole journey potentially pretty nerve-wracking. I can only assume such would-be railway travellers have to build a huge margin into the time they allow to catch their train – or take the easier option and make the whole journey by car. Surely it would be in everyone’s interests to see a new station, with a nice big car park (and bike racks, and wheelchair access to both platforms), built somewhere on that extremely long 25 miles? stretch between Hereford and Abergavenny? It would have a huge catchment area and would draw people wishing to travel north towards Manchester, north-east towards Birmingham, south towards Newport and Swansea – and of course anyone heading for London. It would be useful for people south of the river wishing simply to go shopping in Hereford. It would be particularly convenient for students heading for the colleges on Folly Lane. It would inevitably reduce congestion in Hereford itself, and would surely generate quite enough ‘new’ railway passengers to pay its way. There are several places where a station could be sited, most obviously at Pontrilas, or Allensmore, or even on the southern edge of Hereford itself, near Redhill.

Such a station need not cost millions and could be shared by Network Rail, the train-operating companies and the county council (ie you and me.) It should be cost-effective in financial terms, would be a real benefit to people living in south Herefordshire and would represent a real contribution to reducing traffic congestion in Hereford as well as being environmentally friendly. Can anyone think of a good reason NOT to encourage Herefordshire Council to pursue this idea?

ANDREW Darwin, Church House, Kington.