I am sad to see The Echo giving space to the article by Paul Bibby about the rail trail. In my opinion it was a ‘puff piece’ and should have been a letter.
The gradual return of local rail services to the Northern Rivers is a very live possibility (see Facebook posts under Northern Rivers Railway Ltd, and make contact to get newsletter updates and give support).
Rail services are a much-needed addition to local amenities for both locals and tourists.
It’s ironic that the same Echo issue contains [a letter to the editor from A Stante demanding that Council fix the dangerous traffic queue on the M1 at the Byron exit and slow traffic speeds along Ewingsdale Rd] – a great expenditure forthcoming on roads and infrastructure.
The need for that is partly driven by the current lack of rail services, which will take a lot of pressure off the local road network.
I believe there is ample evidence that the forecast numbers of users of the rail trail, as it exists, have not materialised*.
The trail will be infinitely more attractive to all sorts of users when the return journey can be made by train.
Daniel Berg, Lismore
*According to Tweed Rail Trail stats, the number of users far exceeded projections – Ed
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
