Maidenhead & Windsor

Frustrated commuters this week branded Maidenhead's new-look rail services to London ‘Third World'.

Peak-hour trains were late, overcrowded and some were even cancelled. Passengers were left standing on platforms as others tried desperately to squeeze onto the few fast trains left in the timetable.

The impact of the new First Great Western (FGW) schedule, which sees fewer fast trains from Maidenhead and Twyford to London Paddington, was compounded by mechanical failures and delays, which heightened people's frustration.

Commuters described being ‘rammed in like sardines', which people feared would be a hazard in the event of an accident. Those lucky enough to have seats had passengers crushed between them, according to Neil Symons, 28, of Brunel Road. The HR manager, a commuter since 1999, said: "It used to be a lottery to get a seat, now it is a lottery to get on a train."

FGW spokesman Lance Cole said: "We had some mechanical issues on Monday morning, it was nothing to do with the timetable." He added FGW adhered to all statutory safety requirements and there was ‘no evidence to suggest overcrowding increases risk'.

FGW said people's comments on the timetable were taken into account following public consultation earlier this year.

A statement from the train operator said: "As a result of the comments, we were able to make numerous amendments to the timetable. However, regrettably it has not been possible to make every change and some people inevitably will be disappointed."

The company said it would monitor the situation closely and if possible, try to make changes to the timetable in the future.

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