IF Chiltern Railways was just proposing four trains an hour running on straight and level track, then Andrew Smith would be correct in saying I’m talking rubbish about noise on the Bicester curve (January 14).

Currently trains glide through Bicester on straight level lines, but trains do not like curves and points and protest loudly when using them.

Chiltern’s diesel trains will add to the general cacophony with six diesel engines, of 400hp each, labouring up the gradient to the main line. If CrossCountry train diversions become the norm, that will be 3,000hp at full power.

With this curve in place, 100mph trains will run non-stop through Bicester North station and through the points up on the embankment, goods trains that currently glide past will crash over points at the other end of the curve.

Mr Smith might be happy to endure the noise, but this curve is not required to save him five minutes to get to Water Eaton Parkway or even justify the station.

With Paddington-Oxford electrified, investing in a double track 100mph diesel-worked line and this curve is poor value for money.

A single-track electrified link between the West Coast main line at Bletchley and the Great Western at Oxford, with through trains from the Thames Valley to Northampton, connections between Heathrow and Birmingham International airports and Crossrail would be more of a gain for commuters from Bicester, North Oxford and Kidlington, and give a better return to the taxpayer.

If Water Eaton commuters want a seat and a shorter and faster journey to London, then they should travel to London on a through-electric train via Oxford.

Mr Smith should not be taken in by Chiltern Railways’ claims. With their future London service divided between two stations, he may find that it is the Bicester to London commuters who find all the seats taken.

COLIN MORRIS, Lyneham Road, Bicester