Theresa May has responded to a Network Rail consultation on the future of rail services in the South East and has continued to press for improvements to services between Maidenhead and Twyford and central London to address overcrowding. The consultation proposes several measures to increase capacity in the Thames Valley region, including better utilising Crossrail when it comes into service.
In her submission to the London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy, Theresa highlighted the importance of good rail links to local residents and encouraged action to tackle overcrowding. Network Rail have reported that services will need to cater for significantly more people in the Thames Valley area over the next 20 years, and have proposed several methods for meeting this need, including by looking at extending Crossrail to Reading from its current proposed terminus of Maidenhead.
Commenting, Theresa said: “Good train services from Maidenhead and Twyford are vital and it is clear from Network Rail’s projections that action needs to be taken to deal not only with overcrowding at the moment, but also with expected future increases in passenger numbers. Increased capacity would ensure a sustainable service for local residents, and I welcome the measures that are going to be looked at, including extending Crossrail to Reading.”
“It is also important that fast services from Maidenhead and Twyford remain so that journey times do not increase.”
To read the London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy click here
