May I through your letters' page express my disgust at the crass insensitivity displayed by the Railtrack spokesman in your coverage of the tragic events surrounding Dave Boycott's death on the railway line at Malvern Link.

Common compassion costs nothing and at the very least he could have conveyed his sympathy and condolences on behalf of Railtrack to David's grieving family.

Instead, he was at great pains to emphasise "that all health and safety requirements were met". Experience has taught me that when things such as this are indeed highlighted that something may well be amiss.

It is with this in mind that I would like to publicly ask Railtrack if the undergrowth that was cut back at the scene of this tragic accident to improve visibility was done before or after any representatives of the Health and Safety Executive inspected the scene?

It would put a lot of local residents minds at rest to know the answer.

Clive Smith, Greenfields Road,

Malvern Link. (via e-mail).