I READ with interest the letter from Ron Johnston concerning the train service between Salisbury and Bristol.

I recently had the misfortune of travelling on this route to Bath with my two small children and my mother.

We caught trains we thought were off-peak, using a family railcard.

On the 10.41am from Salisbury we were lucky enough to have seats, although we were several rows apart from each other, one child with each of us.

However, the 4.35pm from Bristol was packed like a sardine tin long before it reached Bath - the aisles were full, at least nine or more people (including the four of us) had to stand in the area by the doors for the whole length of the journey.

It was the same in the carriage next to us.

I was interested to see the "No luggage" sticker which applied to the area where we were - presumably passengers (with luggage) were allowed, since there was nowhere else to put either and no alternative was on offer.

I had to get off at each station, with one of my children, in order to let other passengers out, but the fresh air did give a welcome relief to the excessive heat which was building up inside.

At one point the ticket collector got as far as us and then gave up.

The trolley service didn't have a hope.

We too would like to see some campaigning for a better service on this line.

MRS G FEILDEN, Branksome