IT was wonderful to see the Flying Scotsman return to the tracks again. While it might not have made it north of the border, it was still a great moment.

There seemed to be something magical about the steam era and rail travel seemed that bit special.

We might have speed and convenience now, but how great it looked in decades gone by when people took to the railways for the holiday mass exodus.

Bring back the golden age of the railway.

B Saunders, Glasgow

I THOUGHT I should make a few points about the European Union in response to calls for us to leave the EU. Here is a classic example of how Europe 'interferes' with our rights, in this case the 'right' to work ourselves into an early grave. The European Working Time Directive limits the working week to 48 hours. Britain negotiated an opt out so that we could work longer hours. Nearly 3.5million British workers regularly put in over 48 hours a week, racking up an incredible £29billion a year in unpaid overtime. This is all money in the bank for their employers. Studies show that working more than 40 hours a week actually harms productivity and can lead to health problems such as strokes, heart disease and diabetes. The French, who typically work no more then 35 hours a week, are more productive than us.

The European Union is one of, if not the biggest free trade zone in the world. Around half of all the UK's business is with the EU. Do we want to be on the outside with our goods and services facing extra taxes and duties compared to our competitors?

The European Convention of Human Rights is another European institution that is regularly cited as infringing British sovereignty. It guarantees human rights such as; the prohibition of torture, the right to a fair trial, the right to liberty and security, the prohibition of slavery, the right to life and the right to freedom of expression. I for one would prefer to remain part of an institution that has core values like these.

Dave McLavin, via email

REGARDS pavement parking victory, while I'm thrilled that this practice will finally be stopped maybe now the government can make it illegal to park in disabled bays without a badge. Two garages across from me in Govanhill where recently told to stop parking on the pavements. Answer..park across the road in tenants bays which include three disabled bays. Result disabled people sitting in cars with no way to park. Constantly I go out to find when I come back a car with no badge is in my disabled bay. Bays at this time are courtesy only but should be made mandatory.

D Richford, via email