Sir.-I write regarding the article "Rail authority resumes study into new station" (The Monday Gazette, April 18).

Here we go again - yet another study into a new railway station at Chineham. I seem to remember other proposals for a similar railway station for Oakley.

I have no doubt that these facilities will require yet more public money, like the money that has been spent on our town's very expensive bus stops, which are now, of course, being vandalised and smashed - what a waste!

I must also mention Bramley railway station, with its ridiculous crossing, that causes delays to drivers of vehicles and members of the public, who are obliged to cross the railway line on foot. There is not even a pathway to enable people to get to the down line to Basingstoke.

It would seem that no money is available for even a simple footbridge over this troublesome line, but there's money for a village hall, which apparently most of the residents did not require.

I find it amusing, at this time of year, to hear of officials from our council visiting places that they subsidise, to see what jobs can be done. At the end of a local council's financial year, money left over has to be spent, otherwise these funds are lost to them.

But then, of course, our rates have to be increased, so why can excess money from a year's council budget not be retained for the following year?

Our Government and other bodies seem to believe it is some kind of virtue to waste as much money as they can.

I think I will just stick to my bike - much healthier, cheaper, and often just as quick!

-Paul FitzPatrick, Church Street, Basingstoke.