Who on earth were those 92% who so admired the rebuilt Reading and Birmingham New Street railway stations (Glasgow Queen Street and Gatwick top poll of Britain’s worst stations, 7 May)? The concourse at Reading – the only place you can get drinks and coffee – is a freezing wind tunnel as the external doors are located so they provide a constant through draught. Last time I was changing there I had to leave the station to use a town cafe so as to avoid freezing. As for Birmingham New Street, the new look incorporates red, blue and yellow lounges – since when has it been an airport – and because the various areas do not always link up I find the layout baffling despite the fact I have been using this station since early childhood. Stations should not be places whose prime purpose is retail therapy.

Maureen Panton

Malvern, Worcestershire

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