Conservatives on Reading Borough Council have re-stated their long-standing call for Crossrail to terminate in Reading rather than Maidenhead. Plans published by the last Labour Government saw the new cross-London service terminate in Maidenhead rather than Reading. Thanks to the efforts of Reading East MP Rob Wilson and former Reading West MP Martin Salter, the route was protected to Reading, which could allow a change of mind to extend the service to the town.
Conservative Transport Spokesman Cllr Richard Willis said, “It is time to reverse Labour’s decision to terminate Crossrail at Maidenhead. It makes no sense to have a newly improved Reading Station and not to connect this new service to one of the busiest stations in the country. I understand that a decision will be announced very shortly that Crossrail is to come to Reading.”
Rob Wilson MP said, “I have fought for years to see Reading protected as the eventual end point for Crossrail. However it is important that it is a service that enhances existing services into London even if it takes a few years. I have met with Conservative Ministers in recent weeks and am very much looking forward to the outcome of those discussions.”