THE front page of March 26 reports council leaders and the chamber of commerce as supporting the status quo to better retain local representation and democracy. That should be the case but is it?

In October 2007 Bere Ferrers Parish Council asked West Devon to add the Tamar Valley Line to their concession fares scheme. This was declined as it was claimed that government underfunded West Devon for concession fares.

The same reason was given for removing Bere Ferrers totally from the scheme. The only morning bus at 0915 from Bere Ferrers was in the scheme till April 2008 but was removed by retiming the start of pass validity from 0900 to 0930.

It has now been admitted that West Devon only spend £361,000pa on concession fares but get £465,000 of government grant for it. You might expect a locally responsive West Devon to respond (belatedly) to local democracy channelled through the parish council and add the Tamar Valley Line to the scheme. It would cost less than 10% of their surplus concession fares grant.

It is good that Tavistock folk can use their frequent direct bus to Plymouth with their concession pass. Plymouth can be reached by bus from Bere Ferrers but it takes two buses each way and you have to pay full fare on the first bus. The train takes 19 minutes direct but the one way two-bus journey takes 104 minutes and you can only stay for one hour if you want to use the only return bus from Tavistock to Bere Ferrers. Bere Alston figures are 90 minutes one way with a change of bus versus 24 minutes direct on the train.

Come on, West Devon leaders; let's see action as well as words about local representation and democracy!

Page 7 of the same issue reported the visit of our MP and the shadow transport minister to the line. They noted that its successful future was essential to communities on the Bere Peninsula.

Mr Cox said he was glad that his transport colleague understood its significance and place in the life of local communities. Concession fares on the line would increase use by about 5% and help assure its future. But West Devon denies its affordable use to those very communities and is not helping protect its future, even though it is funded to do so.

These national politicians sound more responsive than our West Devon councillors do. Would an Exeter-based response on including the line in concession fares be closer to the national or West Devon response?

Ray Bentley

14 Chapel Street

Bere Alston