Sir – As a bus passenger I am delighted with the improvements made by Oxfordshire Highways to the Hids Copse Road bus stop on Cumnor Hill. The new bus shelter will be fitted with an electronic display to give the time to the next bus. The extra space on the pavement will help those using mobility scooters to board a bus.

It is unfortunate that Bill Leonard (Letters, April 2) does not appreciate these enhancements. Cumnor Parish Council has been working with Oxfordshire Highways to improve the waiting facilities for bus passengers throughout the parish.

This is the fourth most used bus stop, out of ten, for people travelling on this route into Oxford, with numbers steadily increasing. Since this bus stop is very exposed to the wind and rain, I welcome the new shelter. Filling in the layby should increase, not reduce, safety.

It will be easier for buses to re-enter the traffic going towards Oxford, and therefore keep to their timetable. Car drivers will only need to drive with the same care they already take at other bus stops on Cumnor Hill without laybys.

The bus shelter should encourage more people, including new residents from housing developments on Cumnor Hill, to use buses, thus reducing pollution. The new low-emission buses will also help.

However, I agree with Bill Leonard about the very poor road surface on Cumnor Hill. Only a couple of potholes have been repaired by Oxfordshire Highways. The weeds in the pavements are growing again, making it more difficult for pedestrians and especially anyone pushing a child’s buggy. To avoid tripping on the weeds or damaging your car, ‘let the bus take the strain’.

Dr Dudley Hoddinott, District councillor for Cumnor and Appleton, Cumnor parish councillor, Cumnor Hill