51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Royal Holloway, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London, and St George's, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London, recently called off their year-long engagement, which promised the higher education marriage (and divorce) from hell ("Finance worries kill off medical school merger", 1 October).

The plan to merge two campuses 30 miles apart was always academically and financially unfeasible. It must have come as a relief to all concerned that the merger was scrapped: it is puzzling that this scheme was ever presented as a serious proposition.

Royal Holloway now needs to invest in its under-resourced Egham campus and build upon its successful collaborations, including its Swan alliance with St George's and Kingston 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ, without sacrificing its independence.

Anthony Rodriguez (former Royal Holloway student), Staines, Middlesex.