Twyford

Plans to reduce the number of trains between Maidenhead, Twyford and Paddington will have a "catastrophic effect" on commuters, an MP claimed this week.

First Great Western Link confirmed this week it will reduce trains to and from Twyford & Maidenhead during the peak periods of travelling.

Commuters can study a draft Twyford timetable on the company web-site and make comments. The consultation period lasts until Wednesday, March 8.

But Maidenhead MP Theresa May slammed the proposals to reduce services, particularly fast trains.

Speaking after a meeting with Alison Forster, managing director of First Great Western Link, Mrs May described the proposals as a "body blow" for the area.

She said: "Almost all of the improvements we have won over the past year have been swept away. There will now be fewer trains than ever before, which will undoubtedly lead to more overcrowding and force more people to return to their cars. These announcements will have a catastrophic effect on the quality of life enjoyed by local commuters."

First Great Western Link - which had already been operating Maidenhead-Paddington trains - successfully competed for the franchise in December last year. It made the bid alongside its sister company, First Great Western. The two will merge with Wessex trains and the three will form the Greater Western franchise from April 1.

The company is now inviting comments from rail travellers before introducing the new timetable in December 2006.

Mrs May said that First Great Western Link had been stopped from substantially increasing the number of fast trains and semi-fast trains from Maidenhead. But the Department of Transport and Network Rail rejected these improvements.

She added: "Maidenhead, Twyford and the two main branch lines are significant parts of the Greater Western network, they generate a huge amount of revenue and this grossly inferior service is not acceptable."

Mrs May said that she planned to meet with the Transport Minister in two weeks time. She called on local people to send her their views on her e-mail address, mayt@parliament.uk.

A spokesman for First Great Western Link said there would be fewer fast trains. But he added: "But we will be increasing the train's line speed, so what trains there are will be going faster."

He said they were really keen to find out the views of rail travellers and they should contact First Great Western on e-mail address tt06@firstgroup.com

icBerkshire ~ Twyford