ALTHOUGH I am not personally affected by it I share the concern expressed by Mick Bray and other letter writers about the withdrawal by Stagecoach of their 54 Service. As Mr Bray says: “This is the old story again of public transport companies applying for licences to provide services which they terminate without any recourse or consultation with the local travelling public” (SA May 8).

I wonder though if this is the same Mick Bray who has just been re-elected as a conservative councillor. If so, has he reflected on the fact that the ability of bus companies to withdraw services in this way is a direct result of his party’s decision to deregulate the industry in the 1980s?

MARY ANNE MELOT Folkestone Road Swindon