Theresa May joins Maidenhead MP for formal opening of Maidenhead station facilities

Former Prime Minister and Maidenhead MP Theresa May joined the town’s current MP, council leader and other figures to formally open the new facilities at Maidenhead Railway Station.

Baroness May, Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds, Royal Borough council leader Simon Werner and representatives Joanna Grew of Network Rail and Rachel Geliamassi of Great Western Railway (GWR) gathered at the station this morning (Friday) for the ceremony on platforms 2 and 3.

The five posed for photos in front of the newly installed lift while holding a banner stating, ‘Investing in Maidenhead’.

While the works were taking place, the lift on platforms 2 and 3 was out of action for months and passengers needing to use step-free access raised concerns over the impact this was having upon them. 

They were then joined by other representatives and those attending the ceremony, including RBWM Disability and Inclusion Forum chair Lisa Hughes for a photo at the bottom of the new additional staircase serving the platforms.

The major project, which kicked off at Maidenhead station in August last year, includes a host of safety and accessibility improvements, including the relocation and renewal of a lift on platforms 2 and 3 and an additional staircase to service these platforms.

Previously there was only one staircase available, which could lead to commuters queuing on the platform.

The lift had reached the end of its working life and was replaced and relocated to another part of the platform to make space for the extra staircase.

With the lift out of action during the works, passengers who needed step-free access were left with two options.

These included travelling to Reading and coming back to Maidenhead to use the lift on platforms 4 and 5 or using the taxi provision put in place for those needing passenger assist.

Work is also being carried out on the passenger information screens, CCTV and public address system.

The lift and additional staircase are now in use at the station, following the works which were carried out by Network Rail’s contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.

More than 150 tonnes of spoil that had been excavated was reused at the station and the timber which was removed during the works was donated to Braywick Plant Nurseries.

Speaking to the Advertiser at the event, Josh Reynolds MP, said: “I think its fantastic that we’ve got these new improvements into Maidenhead station.

“It’s long overdue, but [I’m] really glad that we’ve got them

“[It’s] great to see that Maidenhead is top of the agenda when it comes to new money and new investment coming in.”

Mr Reynolds said would like to see other improvements at the station, including more trains going in and out of London on a regular basis at peak times, the electrification of the Cookham branch line and improvements to the entrance and underpass at the station.

Baroness May, said: “I think this is a really important improvement for Maidenhead station.

“It has taken a time to time to get the new lift in place and I know waiting for it has been difficult for some people, those with mobility problems.

“But it’s great that the lift is here.”

She added that there is ‘still a lot more work’ to be done at the station, particularly on the subway and spoke to representatives at the event about the possibility of ‘trying to get that work moved on’.

Council leader Simon Werner, said: “I think its really fantastic seeing these improvements to Maidenhead station.

“But I think we’ve also got to look for the future. They’ve shown the commitment with money into Maidenhead station and now we need to be pushing for the next phase.”

Lisa Hughes said the improvements, now they have been completed, ‘look great’, but during the period where there was no step-free access available on platforms 2 and 3, it was ‘really impactful’ for passengers needing this.

Joanna Grew, industry programme director for the Thames Valley area for Network Rail, said: “It is a real step-change for the users of Maidenhead. It’s a great improvement and I’m really pleased that Network Rail have been part of that with the rest of the rail industry.”

Ms Grew added that there are ‘always learnings’ to be made from all projects and the operator understands there was ‘some disruption’ for passengers needing step-free access.

Rachel Geliamassi, GWR customer services director, she is ‘really excited’ about the new improvements.

She added that she is aware it has ‘not been easy’ for passengers needing step-free access to sometimes need to adjust their plans, but encouraged them to come and use the station now that the lift is open for use.