Fiona responds to Network Rail consultation

Network Rail published its Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy Draft for Consultation last month. It makes proposals for the development of all FGW lines, including rail services to Slough.

Fiona responded and said: "I urge Slough people to respond to this consultation. It simply does not do enough for Slough, which is the third busiest station on the line exceeded only by stations with major interchanges: Reading and Bristol."

The document refers to the route between Slough and Paddington as 'inner suburban' and proposes that from 2017, trains from Slough to London should go through the Crossrail lines and the proposed Crossrail tunnel to Paddington and beyond. Network Rail proposes that Crossrail trains from Slough to London will be commuter trains, with fewer seats and more standing space. It also suggests that demand for travel will increase by 21% in peak times and 25% off-peak by 2019.  

"This is not good enough. People travelling into London need to have seats. Slough is not like other suburban places but is only getting a suburban service. Slough serves 5½ million passengers a year. The station is not fit for the numbers of people travelling now and the crush is frightening at peak periods. The station needs modernising and making safe for more passengers and people with disabilities in good time for the 2012 Olympics. Some improvements to the station which I have pressed for are beginning to happen - enhancing the ticket hall, new seating and waiting accommodation, toilets and signing, but more is needed. I am demanding that electrification brings benefits to Slough; it should not just mean that trains whiz through our town to get to less busy stations.

Planned electrification could give Slough a more frequent fast service, including during the morning peak hours, but that will not be guaranteed by these proposals. Slough is a destination as well as a taking-off point and to meet our needs we require station and service improvements urgently.  I urge local people and businesses to respond to the consultation so that Slough's voice can be heard.

"I have also welcomed future proposals for direct rail access to Heathrow Airport from the west, using the Colnbrook freight-only line, Slough needs quick access to the airport for our businesses. I hope this proposal can be brought forward as it will help secure the prosperity of Slough and reduce traffic on the M4."