HOW I agree with the comments from Steven Judd (letters, January 16) regarding the need for a bus station in Southampton.

We recently visited Portsmouth and used the superb new bus station which is next to the harbour railway station. You can wait indoors in warmth and comfort while the information regarding bus times are displayed and updated on large electronic screens. You then leave via automatic doors to one of numerous bus stands where your bus will be waiting.

As a Sotonian all my life, this is one of the many ways in which, to me, Portsmouth has grown to challenge Southampton as the south coast's premier city. Over the years we have lost many amenities, such as the ice rink, and lost events such as the Great South Run and the Around the World yacht race. These, as with others, have been listed many times in the Echo.

Gunwharf Quays leaves Westquay in the shade with respect to design and convenience. Then Portsmouth has developed its waterfront in a way that brings many tourists. Southampton City Councillors have squabbled for years as what to do with ours and still threaten to close off more to public access.

When asked by many of the cruise passengers who wander aimlessly looking for the Titanic Museum, "Can you advise us what we can do for a few hours" perhaps a good answer should be "get a train to Portsmouth, but it's a long walk to our railway station!"

Ed Fisher

Sholing