Theresa May has held a high level meeting to discuss the progress of Crossrail, its implications for Maidenhead and the possibility of its extension to Twyford and Reading. The meeting was convened by Theresa and Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East, and attended by senior representatives from Crossrail Ltd, Network Rail and First Great Western, who provided an update on the services that Maidenhead commuters can expect once Crossrail comes into operation.
Theresa reaffirmed her views that Crossrail should be extended to serve Twyford, and that fast and semi-fast mainline services must continue from Maidenhead and Twyford. Both Theresa and Rob Wilson expressed their view that the best long-term approach would be for Crossrail to provide semi-fast services alongside those already offered by FGW.
Crossrail is due to come into operation for Maidenhead commuters in 2019 and will provide a direct through-service to central London and beyond. Theresa has long supported the project, but has also stated that there should be no reduction in First Great Western services once Crossrail begins.
Commenting, Theresa said: “It was very useful to get these three organisations together to ensure there is a coordinated approach to the future of train services from Maidenhead. I am sure they were left in no doubt about my view that Crossrail must complement the existing FGW services, not replace them.”
“There are clear benefits to extending Crossrail for my constituents in Twyford. I am pleased that this is being given very serious consideration and I hope that we will hear more about this soon. Ideally, we should see Crossrail offering semi-fast services from Reading to London in addition to those already provided by FGW. This would have major benefits for the whole Thames Valley region.”
