On trains

What is it exactly that makes train operators determined that every rail journey is punctuated by constant announcements? I am sitting on a train writing this, and there have have just been three announcements in succession, reminding me which carriage I am in, not to leave my bag unsupervised, and that I am about to arrive at Oxted. No! I have in fact arrived and must now listen to yet another 'welcome' announcement.

My husband has become so fed up with this non-stop assault on our ears that he plugs in his Ipod to cut the world out, only pausing grimly to point out that if ever there is a real health and safety problem ("train on fire") he'll be the last to know. I am glad to hear a campaign is building. Already I have heard the defences, the health and safety/EU regulation blah blah. But I am hopeful that passenger revolt will make the operators see sense.

They have actually provided we long-suffering commuters the best trains ever - modern, comfortable - and even more amazingly they are more punctual than I ever recall in a lifetime of commuting. Now it's time to back off and leave our ears in peace. I was going to say more, but we're about to arrive in Lingfield and while gathering my bag, and listening to the extra announcement about being careful if I am crossing the line I lost my flow...