I was stunned by the report that councillors are “looking for solutions and not problems” when considering Chiltern Railways' proposals for an Oxford to London service via Bicester.

For mayor James Porter to say “the fundamental issue is the road and the station being so close together” seems to me to show a complete ignorance of what should be of concern to residents and councillors, this unnecessary curve at Bicester.

Residents of Langford Village and Longfields in Bicester may not have considered the sound of trains squealing around this curve, powering up the embankment and rattling over the points, or thought about the sound of diesel trains and locomotives idling at signals and in the station waiting for a clear road to London.

People in Launton might be able to ignore trains thundering over the points on the embankment at 100mph if this curve is installed.

But, councillors should not ignore any of this, otherwise it will be when town council meetings are disturbed by a long freight train rumbling over the points for this curve nearby, that they will realise just how much noise these trains will make. By then it will be too late!

All the claimed benefits for Oxford and Bicester commuters could still be obtained – for a 10-minute longer journey to London – without this curve at Bicester, by making one four miles further north at Claydon to connect to the Aylesbury to London line.

Something should be done for Oxford commuters when Reading station remodelling starts.

However, Chiltern Railways should not jeopardise the service on their main line to London or good relations with line-side residents in Bicester to accommodate this short-term problem.

COLIN MORRIS, Lyneham Road, Bicester