Maidenhead & Windsor

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough has welcomed First Great Western’s new rail timetable which promises significant service improvements, particularly at peak times.

The timetable changes – which begin on December 9 – follow an intensive local Windsor and Maidenhead campaign against the reduction in services introduced last year. The new timetable will mean nearly a third more seats on peak commuter trains and more fast rush hour services serving local stations including Maidenhead and Slough.

The improvements to the timetable - to be implemented as a result of customer feedback – include:
· more fast morning peak trains from Maidenhead to Paddington, with extra stops at Taplow and Burnham – and more from Paddington in the evening rush-hour
· more fast morning and evening trains from Slough at peak times – with better connections at Slough for commuters from Windsor
· more and bigger high speed trains with new interiors and more reliable environmentally-efficient engines. These will be phased in between December and next May.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said: “I am pleased that First Great Western seem to have listened to the deep concerns of train users and councillors of the Royal Borough in drawing up their new timetable.

“This appears to be a positive development which will hopefully make a significant difference to the travelling experience of the many Royal Borough residents who are regular commuters.

“We look forward to continuing to talk with First Great Western to make sure that they are fully aware of the needs of their passengers. We need more fast trains leaving from Maidenhead at all times of the day.”

Cllr Simon Dudley, chairman of Maidenhead Town Forum and a regular commuter, said: “I often use the Maidenhead to Paddington line myself and welcome the announcement of these improvements from First Great Western.

“The council’s tough stance earlier this year on behalf of frustrated commuters – which included strong support from our local MPs – has undoubtedly helped to bring about these significant changes to the new timetable.

“We must now ensure that First Great Western continue to demonstrate commitment to the needs of the busy commuter towns in our borough and take local views into account when planning future timetables.”

Other changes include:
· improved connections for the other local branch lines from Marlow and Henley, including alteration of train times at Henley to reflect customer feedback
· extra stops on the Gatwick line services from Reading.

The newly-announced timetable is part of FGW’s latest round of improvements which concentrate on services in the Thames Valley and the Bristol area, as well as trains serving South Wales, Devon and Cornwall.

Further regional improvements are planned for May 2008.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead