The remarks by Chris Loder, MP, are the latest in many querying the future of rail services in Dorset, South Somerset and Devon.

South Western and Great Western Railways are not companies though - nor is the Wessex bus firm seen around Weymouth.

These are among many brands of just one company: First Group (shares £104 each!), whose website bears careful scrutiny beyond its cliched jargon.

Mr Loder might also investigate First’s lack of interest in its own buses serving its own rail services at Weymouth Station, despite Network Rail modifying the forecourt for that.

It is not only trains to London at stake. “GWR” allows direct connections at Bristol to Wales, the North and Scotland, but First does not advertise that.

Nigel Graham

Weymouth