A busy train station could have some of its parking spaces cut – despite commuters claiming there is a ‘chronic shortage’ of spaces currently available.
Twyford Railway Station’s car park will be resurfaced by Network Rail after customers complained of potholes and poor upkeep.
The station serves as a key commuter route into central London, with both Great Western Railway and Elizabeth Line services.
It has seen the number of users grow since the pandemic, with half a million taking journeys from Twyford in the past year.
But initial plans to reline the busy car park could reduce the number of spaces available, which currently sits at around 350.
It comes despite users of the station demanding more spaces be created last year, claiming a ‘chronic shortage’ was causing ‘immense inconvenience and frustration’ for daily commuters.
Simon Lancaster’s petition on Change.Org was signed by 1,322 people.
Launched in September 2023, Mr Lancaster wrote: “Twyford station’s car park reaches full capacity even before the day begins, leaving many commuters with no other option but to park their vehicles outside of designated bays or on nearby verges.”
He said the growth of the commuter base from Twyford due to the opening of the Elizabeth line had ‘undoubtedly exacerbated this problem further’.
Demands at the time included a multistorey car park which would increase the capacity of spaces available for customers.
Great Western Railway (GWR) has said it aims to address these issues highlighted by the petition and aims to create more spaces in the long-term.
A spokesperson for GWR said reductions in spaces ‘will be small’, as they ‘seek to provide clearly defined parking bays and a safer environment for all users’.
A spokesperson said: “We are working closely with partners including Network Rail and Wokingham Borough Council on wider plans to increase the number of parking spaces available at Twyford, the first step of which is to secure funding and relevant permissions to do so.”
The works will be carried out by Network Rail, and the number of spaces that could be cut are currently unconfirmed.
MP for Wokingham Clive Jones warned the situation at Twyford was ‘putting commuters off from travelling into London or Reading by train’.
He said he had experienced the ‘race in the morning’ to claim a spot ‘far too many times’.
Mr Jones asked during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, December 17 for partners to work together to find a solution that worked for residents.
