In your article Journey Times ‘Could Be Cut’ (Wednesday, October 21) Adrian Shooter, on behalf of Chiltern Railways, hopes to bring Oxford-Bicester journey times down from 25 to 14 minutes.

In order to achieve this, travelling north, passenger trains will travel at 75mph through Upper Wolvercote, decelerate to 70mph through Wolvercote tunnel, and accelerate back to 75mph to reach the proposed new station at Water Eaton.

According to correspondence I have on behalf of Chiltern Railways, freight trains will be limited to a maximum speed of 30mph between Oxford North Junction and Milepost 29, which is near First Turn Bridge. I am sure that most people will welcome Chiltern’s proposals for an entirely new rail route to London, Marylebone, and I am particularly grateful for the speed limit placed upon freight.

However, for the sake of one, or maybe two, minutes on the passenger service journey time, could the relevant maximum speed limits not be reduced to 50mph until the trains reach Water Eaton?

This, hitherto, sleepy railway line – not designed for main line access to London or to East-West freight – has many residential properties granted planning permission very close to the cutting before such rail services could be contemplated. Bear in mind that these fast passenger trains will be passing within a few feet of residents’ bedrooms, and within feet of Wolvercote First School. If all these people, children and all, are not to be continually disturbed throughout the day by increased services at increased speed, could the good passengers of Chiltern Railways possibly give up two of their ‘saved’ journey-time minutes, just once or twice in their working day? Surely 16 minutes to Bicester is good enough?

Keith Dancey, St Peters Road, Upper Wolvercote, Oxford