Sir – I am grateful for Mr Stebbings’ clarification of his points (Letters, April 11). Mr Stebbings says he does not understand why the presence of bats should restrict the railway’s more frequent use of the tunnel. Neither do I.

The reason all my arguments and objections at the public inquiry have been about line speed — and not merely more frequent use — is because the proposed increase in these speeds by 150 per cent will kill these bats.

All the bat species identified as using this tunnel have co-evolved with the speeds of their avian predators and are therefore able to evade trains travelling at 30mph — which has been the maximum speed along this entire line for decades (ever since a derailment).

What bats cannot do is evade trains travelling at the new estimated speed through Wolvercote of 75mph: they will be killed.

All we are asking for is to keep the existing speed limit through Wolvercote. Such a measure would add less than one minute to the proposed new, faster journey times. Not only will that preserve the bats, it will hugely reduce vibration, noise and emissions for residents.

I am pleased that Mr Stebbings believes that is a reasonable and responsible position.

Mr Stebbings also makes the point that residents would have been aware of the tunnel. Indeed they were. However, this proposal of re-engineering the line for faster, heavier trains, involves issuing compulsory purchase orders for people’s property in Wolvercote. I do not think it reasonable to expect anybody to have anticipated that to happen when they moved here.

Sir – I am grateful for Mr Stebbings’ clarification of his points (Letters, April 11). Mr Stebbings says he does not understand why the presence of bats should restrict the railway’s more frequent use of the tunnel. Neither do I.

The reason all my arguments and objections at the public inquiry have been about line speed — and not merely more frequent use — is because the proposed increase in these speeds by 150 per cent will kill these bats.

All the bat species identified as using this tunnel have co-evolved with the speeds of their avian predators and are therefore able to evade trains travelling at 30mph — which has been the maximum speed along this entire line for decades (ever since a derailment).

What bats cannot do is evade trains travelling at the new estimated speed through Wolvercote of 75mph: they will be killed.

All we are asking for is to keep the existing speed limit through Wolvercote. Such a measure would add less than one minute to the proposed new, faster journey times. Not only will that preserve the bats, it will hugely reduce vibration, noise and emissions for residents.

I am pleased that Mr Stebbings believes that is a reasonable and responsible position.

Mr Stebbings also makes the point that residents would have been aware of the tunnel. Indeed they were. However, this proposal of re-engineering the line for faster, heavier trains, involves issuing compulsory purchase orders for people’s property in Wolvercote. I do not think it reasonable to expect anybody to have anticipated that to happen when they moved here.

Keith Dancey, Upper Wolvercote