You posed the question re costs of reopening the Wisbech railway line which was estimated to be £12m some years ago.

Inflation will have of course played its usual part but the largest cost increase is because a bridge will now be deemed necessary at the crossing of the A47 bypass. This could be shared with the road upgrade that once built will considerably reduce operating costs. However the biggest extra is that “contingencies” are always added by government rules to such projects and these can be up to 40pc.

Hopefully this extra sum will not be needed in what is a relatively simple project and the actual cost will be considerably less.

PETER WAKEFIELD

Cambridge.