Commuters say rail station parking 'horrendous'
LDRSCommuters and residents have described parking at a busy train station as "horrendous" and "disruptive".
Nearly 2,000 people have signed an online petition calling for more parking spaces at Twyford train station between Reading and Maidenhead.
Great Western Railway (GWR) operates services from Twyford to London Paddington, Reading and Henley, while the Elizabeth Line runs trains to Abbey Wood in the capital.
A spokesperson for GWR said: "We are working closely with Network Rail and Wokingham Borough Council on plans to increase the number of parking spaces available, the first step is to secure funding and relevant permissions."
One commuter Claire uses the car park about twice a week and explained if you want a space, you have to be at the station before 7am or "there is no chance".
She said: "It is such a shame because so many people want to travel by public transport and they've upped the price significantly.
"They need to build another storey just like they have done at Wokingham or Winnersh, build on top of it why not."
Resident Sian Ayerst-Dyer said: "A lot of people who drive to the station after 7 o'clock can't get a space and then everyone starts parking in the roads nearby.
"It does cause issues for residents who need to park."
Resident of Brook Street, Mark Andrew said: "It's been a big issue, it's been constantly raised and it's only recently where the council have agreed to actually introduce a permit scheme for residents.
"It's been a problem for at least a couple of decades."
Since the opening of the Elizabeth Line in 2022, passenger numbers have increased over the last four years.
Former Conservative borough councillor, Angus Ross said: "Unfortunately, the council rejected the validity of the petition because they require signatories to supply their full postcodes, yet the petition platform hadn't insisted on this."
He said: "Since then, the Conservative Group has initiated a motion to be debated by councillors at a full council meeting."
The meeting will take place at 19:00 GMT on 22 January.
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