Theresa May has met the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, to discuss the likely impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on transport in and around Maidenhead. With rowing events taking place at nearby Eton Dorney, Maidenhead is likely to be a key transport link and Theresa therefore sought assurances that appropriate measures had been put in place to ensure that the road and rail network will be able to cope with the expected number of visitors.
The Secretary of State updated Theresa on the latest arrangements. Around 25,000 spectators are expected to visit Eton Dorney each day during the Games, and Maidenhead rail station will be one of the main stations serving the venue with a shuttle bus service linking the station and the rowing site. In addition, park-and-ride facilities will be available from Maidenhead town centre each day that events are on at Eton Dorney. Local roads, including the M4, could be busier during peak hours and residents are encouraged to avoid affected roads if possible. Additional train services will be provided, but stations could be busier both before and after the rowing events.
Full details of the advice available to local residents is available here
In addition, further information is available every Friday from 12-4pm at the London 2012 Information Centre at the Bishop Centre, Bath Road, Taplow.
Commenting, Theresa said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the local area and it is important that the transport arrangements work for the benefit of local residents, businesses and of course the many visitors who will be coming to enjoy the occasion. It was useful for me to discuss these issues with the Transport Secretary and I am pleased that clear arrangements are in place to address the additional demands that will be placed on the transport network. I would encourage local residents to look at the advice that has been published to see if there are any sensible steps they can take during the Games to avoid congestion.”
