Dear Editor, I was interested to read of the prospect of demolition of the former Longbridge Railway Station in Bristol Road South.

I am not only saddened but also unsurprised. I have written before of the need to preserve the iconic art deco parcels office, the only one of its type that I know of.

I was also of the opinion that an in-depth appraisal of existing track and track bed could provide an effective rail link to the south-west of the city, with trains terminating at Frankley instead of the hard-pressed new Longbridge Station, thus easing road traffic in that corridor into the city.

Absolutely no chance of that now, for the developer, St Mowden, showed indecent haste in quickly removing track and track bed. They have also allowed the parcels office to be vandalised and damaged, no doubt in the hope that its existence is irretrievable and demolition the only option. I do hope city planners, in this instance, insist on the preservation of at least the parcels office.

Even in its unkempt and tardy state it is more pleasant to the eye than the monstrous carbuncle of a college that has been built opposite it.

Robert Betteridge,

Kings Heath,

Birmingham