WITH reference to train cancellations, highlighted recently in The Bolton News.

The 0821 Blackburn to Victoria is horrendous.

There have been two cancellations in as many weeks, citing "unit failure" as the reason.

Blackburn / Darwen local authorities have taken away bus passes for pupils attending Turton School and Canon Slade.

Consequently, when the two-carriage train, invariably late, reaches Bromley Cross, there is insufficient room for commuters to Bolton or Manchester.

If you are fortunate enough to access the train, you are met with a barrage of teenagers who take all the available seating even thought they are to leave the train at the next stop.

I envisage a situation whereby commuters will be unable to access the train at all and will be forced to await the 0850 train, which is equally unreliable if not more so, and can sometimes be one carriage.

The alternative is to drive to Bolton for another equally crowded train, or drive to Radcliffe to pick up a tram, at a cost of £4.80 per day - in addition to the season costs of travelling by train.

To explain to one's employers my persistent late arrival is becoming embarrassing to say the least!

I wonder if Northern Rail will be amenable to reimbursing my loss of earnings should my employment be terminated?

Susan Mikolajewski, Bradshaw