Taxi drivers call for solution to combat congestion at Maidenhead station forecourt

Taxi drivers at Maidenhead Railway station are calling for a better solution for all residents to combat congestion and issues at the station’s forecourt.

The forecourt has been widely criticised by residents and community figures since it reopened in 2021 following a re-design, and the lack of pick-up and drop-off facilities has been a major point of discussion.

Hackney carriage drivers stationed on the forecourt have called for a solution after sharing concerns of traffic congestion there during peak times in the evenings.

Mohammed Naeem Sabir said the issue has ‘always been a struggle for everyone’, ever since the forecourt was re-designed.

He added: “We just feel that, for the residents and for taxi drivers and other people picking up and dropping off, the area should be a bit more accessible for them.

“Five, six, seven o’clock – the peak periods – you get a lot of people coming, a lot of people picking up and dropping off, and parking everywhere.”

Mr Sabir added, that prior to the re-design, there were 10 spaces for taxis on the forecourt, but now there is space for four taxis before 5pm and for six after that time.

He added taxis also get stuck on the main road trying to get onto the forecourt due to congestion on the forecourt.

“We feel that it should be best for everyone, and we don’t feel that the station at the moment is suitable for everyone’s needs and it needs to improve.”

Fellow taxi driver Hamza Ali said the issue needs to be sorted on a ‘priority basis’.

He said: “There are no parking spaces for individuals.

“There is some disabled bays, but for the private passenger pick-up and drop-off, there is no space.

“I think that should be something they can do – maybe they can make another drop-off point, pick-up point for the private passengers.”

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds called the station re-design ‘awful’ and said there is ‘not enough space’.

He added that he would like to see a ‘larger programme’ of improvements at the station, including forecourt improvements, more gate line access, upgraded ticket machines and measures to combat flooding.

“I would like to see the forecourt improved, so we’ve got that pick-up and drop-off parking, so parking works for hire drivers and for taxis,” Mr Reynolds said.

He added that a Maidenhead Station Improvement Board is being set up, with stakeholders invited to ‘get together’ their priority lists to talk to Government further.

It is hoped the first meeting will take place at the beginning of next year.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re aware of the concerns raised by taxi drivers using the forecourt at Maidenhead station, which was previously redesigned and built by the council.

“While we are not currently funded for further enhancements at the station, we welcome engagement from any third parties who may be interested in exploring opportunities to improve the forecourt area.

“We’ll continue to work with our partners at GWR and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to improve the current operation of the forecourt.”

A spokesperson for Great Western Railway (GWR), said: “Following the initial forecourt development, which opened in 2021, we recognise that there are some improvements that can be made to ensure the space fully delivers for all users.

“We continue to work with local partners, including RBWM and Network Rail, to identify feasible options for funding improvement, such as how the current operation could work better by addressing inconsiderate parking.”

The Royal Borough has been contacted for comment.