Sir - Surely Mr Andrew Pritchard ought to welcome the Secretary of State's approval of funding for the new platforms at Oxford station and for providing Bicester line trains with independent access to the bay platform, rather than harping on about the defunct proposal for a new station at Oxpens (Letters, April 6).

As I explained in a previous letter (January 19) the benefits of expanding capacity through Oxford station can be achieved more cost-effectively, without building a new station.

As for his comment on Mr Hugh Jaeger's suggestion for an Oxford Parkway station at Wolvercote, there is nothing new in this idea. Many years ago, British Rail considered proposals for a Parkway station either north or south of Oxford, to avoid the need for passengers to drive to Oxford station, adding more traffic to the already-congested Botley Road. A Parkway station at Wolvercote or Kidlington would serve passengers travelling beyond Oxford to Reading or London, and with the proposed redevelopment of Oxford's West End, many more people would be working within walking distance of the station.

I do agree with Mr Pritchard that it would be desirable for building materials for the new developments to be brought in by rail. Railfuture has already lodged an objection to the proposal of BRB (Residuary) Ltd to release the site of Oxford South Yard for sale because we believe that it should be retained for rail-connected use. When Oxford station is resignalled and the new tracks connected for the new platforms south of Botley Road, it would not be difficult to include a new siding for construction materials. The city council should make it a condition of granting planning permission for the new developments.

Martin Smith, Branch committee member, Railfuture Thames Valley Branch, Abingdon