AS A ‘golden oldie’ living in the real world, one has empathy with June Groves when she asks ‘how do I propose elderly people and non-drivers reach other towns?’

However, as we age our material needs diminish, so in all honesty how many times a year does one really need a department store?

Most things are available from the good variety of Andover shops, and of course, dare I say, internet access which can be freely gained via computers in the library, and the helpful library team.

I like the new bus station, so while I agree with June about the reduction in bus services, we need to be aware that endless subsidies are not available.

If we don’t use the bus services, even with our ‘free’ bus passes paid for out of general taxation, how can we expect bus companies to run services, and to remain in business?

One of the basic principles of public expenditure on transport is, and has to be, that the ‘user pays’.

Barrie Wickens, of Linton Drive, Andover