Twyford railway station talks: the latest on possible improvements ahead

Third party funding is required if improvements are to be made to Twyford railway station.

That’s the outcome of the latest meeting between Great Western Railway (GWR) bosses and Wokingham Borough Council leaders (WBC).

Talks held just before Christmas between the rail firm and the leader of Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and Twyford village councillor, Stephen Conway (Lib Dem), were said to be ‘constructive’ and point towards improvements to be made in car parking, cycle paths and security – if funding can be found.

Previous meetings between both borough and parish councillors and the railway company have been held where councillors have taken villagers’ security and access concerns to the local GWR representative but none have been this promising.

Along with fellow Twyford and WBC councillor Lindsay Ferris, Cllr Conway said the meeting, held at their request, covered a range of topics and he is hopeful that the outcome will be positive.

“The meeting was with two GWR managers – Tom Pierepoint and Tom Lyndon. We agreed to look at progressing many things, but it’s all conditional on finding the funding. Even so, it was very positive and definitely represents a step in the right direction,” he said.

Through their conversation they stressed the need for improvements across several areas including enhanced security for platforms and the car park, better forecourt access for pedestrians and better cycle routes to the station with more secure cycle storage.

They also discussed the need for a ‘better coordination of timings’ for train line services, particularly for the Henley branch line and main line.

Perhaps of most interest to villagers and commuters is the possibility of 50 new car parking spaces that could be made by using the station’s old coal yard.

The question now comes down to finances.

GWR’s business development portfolio director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “It was really good to meet with Wokingham Borough Council to discuss opportunities to improve Twyford station.

“We recognise and share the ambition for more parking for rail users but land around the station is very constrained and converting the former coal yard into car parking requires new drainage, which makes the project very expensive.

“Funding in the rail industry post-pandemic is very constrained and there's a renewed need to provide excellent value for money as the industry reduces its burden on the taxpayer, so any works to increase car parking will need third-party involvement.

“We will continue to work alongside the local councils and Network Rail to look for opportunities to provide additional car parking and improve access to the station by bus, bike and for pedestrians.”