SIR: I refer to your story reporting on the unsafe abutments, falling masonry etc at Darcy Lever Viaduct. Your newspaper wrongly stated British Rail was, and is, responsible for its maintenance and upkeep.

Whether this was a Freudian slip or a PR wobble on behalf of your news staff, I don't know. I feel they know better as British Rail as an industrial entity ceased to exist legally some months ago. In addition to several of the householders interviewed in your coverage who said it was an accident just waiting to happen, Jimmy Knapp, NUR and other senior leading figures in the rail UK network have been advising of such incidents for several years now.

K Moran

Clough Flats, Heywood

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.