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Thursday 26 Oct 2023

New lift and staircase to improve access and safety at Maidenhead station

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Work by Network Rail to install a new lift and staircase at Maidenhead station in Berkshire is due to get under way next month. 

When construction is complete in autumn 2024, passengers will experience a smoother journey around the station, reducing queuing and delays. 

The current lift to platforms two and three that has reached the end of its working life will be closed and then removed from Monday 6 November. This means there will be no step-free access to these platforms until the new lift is installed. Step-free access will still be available to platforms one, four and five. 

A new lift to platforms two and three will be installed in a different location, allowing a new staircase to be built that will ease congestion on the platforms at peak times. 

For those who wish to know more, staff from Network Rail and GWR will be on hand to speak to passengers at Maidenhead station from 4.30-6.30pm on Monday 6 November. 

Passengers who require step-free access and are travelling west from Maidenhead or wishing to alight at Maidenhead coming from the London direction should follow this advice: 

Travelling from Maidenhead station 

• There is no impact travelling east towards London 
• To travel west towards Reading, first travel to Taplow, Burnham or Slough and change to a westbound service 
• Consider starting your journey at Taplow, Burnham, Slough or Twyford 

Travelling to Maidenhead from the London direction 

• Stay on the train beyond Maidenhead, change at Twyford or Reading and travel back to Maidenhead 

Step-free access to all platforms is available at Reading, Twyford, Taplow, Burnham and Slough and all tickets will be accepted on both GWR and Elizabeth line services while the work takes place. 

Additional staff will be available at Maidenhead to offer support during the work, which is being completed by Network Rail’s contractor Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. 

Network Rail sponsor Alan Gough said: “We’re pleased to be making Maidenhead an even better station. 

“The new facilities will provide much smoother access for passengers and, crucially, improve safety. 

“We’re sorry we have to remove step-free access to platforms two and three during the work but help will always be on hand to get passengers where they need to go.” 

GWR station manager Mian Sarwar said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank customers in advance for their patience and understanding while this vital work is carried out to improve the station. 

“We would urge customers to plan their journeys and book ahead by calling our Passenger Assist team free on 0800 197 1329.” 

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure managing director Simon Smith said: “We’re pleased to be part of making Maidenhead station more accessible and safer for passengers.  

“We are continuing to work with Network Rail in providing improved access for all within the Western region following our successful work at Slough station.  

“We look forward to building on our strong track record in delivering station improvements, while providing a safe and positive experience for passengers.”