I WITNESSED a very poor bit of driving last Wednesday morning on Cherwell Drive, Marston, by a bus stationary in the kerb facing towards Summertown.

My attention was first drawn by a running man to my right as I headed towards the JR from Summertown and he was clearly running at a good pace for the aforementioned bus 250 yards away, which was still picking up passengers at the poorly positioned stop near to the Marsh Lane mini-roundabout.

He looked young and fit enough, and with no track at Cowley to enjoy anymore, I had him down as odds-on with my youngest daughter to catch the bus. But as we drew up in the slowing traffic, I could now see he was perhaps nearer 40 than 14. The odds seemed good however, because with now only 25 yards to go I could see the driver was clearly watching him. And as he neared, he pulled away from the stop.

The running man's reaction, or non-reaction to his great credit, differed greatly from what I myself would probably have done. I'd have at least made a hand gesture to him, similar to that of Sir Winston, just not in victory.

I remember the introduction of one-man busses in the late '60s early '70s. Drivers in that era were at least trained to let you nearly get your hand on the chrome rail before shutting the door and driving off. Either way, very poor form shown by the driver, giving neither of us a sporting chance.

DAVID WILLIAMS
David Walter Close
Oxford