Sir – How time flies! Two years ago the Department for Transport ruled out any further railway electrification. Hopes that Oxford station might get the four through platforms recommended by Arup in 2002 were dismissed out of hand.

Yet now we are promised electric trains to Paddington by 2016, and on September 10 you published a feature article about adding second faces to the station’s main platforms.

I was, however, amazed that your reporters think that a scheme that retains the present bus terminus and short-stay parking using the existing access from Frideswide Square is an advantage.

The continual need for vehicles to cross the main flow of traffic along the Botley Road to get to and from the station causes major congestion.

The alternative of a new station at the Oxpens offers many advantages: the opportunity to provide a comprehensive European-style interchange between city bus services from all parts of Oxford, and with the increased rail services; smoother flow of traffic through Frideswide Square; resolution of the so far unsolved problem of providing the increased access promised for the Westgate redevelopment; and avoiding the severe engineering problems and delays associated with building two platforms and two more tracks across the Botley Road, at a similar cost to the Oxpens station.

And with the excellent access to the Westgate redevelopment that such a scheme would offer, surely some of the cost could be recouped in higher contributions from the developers?

Dr Andrew M Pritchard North Hinksey