SLOUGH has become a boom town for property investors as house prices have soared by 60 per cent in the last six years.

Since the Crossrail line into London was confirmed house prices have jumped massively as investors attempted to make a quick buck on desirable commuter properties around railway stations.

Taplow, Burnham, Slough, Langley and Iver railways stations will all be served by Crossrail, also known as the Elizabeth Line, and new data put together by Nationwide has revealed that Slough property prices have seen the biggest jump across the country.

Since the coalition government committed to Crossrail in 2010, house prices in Slough have risen by 60 per cent, making the average house price £283,891.

Lee Henry, Slough branch manager at The Frost Partnership estate agents, said: "Obviously Crossrail has had a huge effect in Slough, especially the smaller properties and investment properties such as studios, one bedroom and two bedroom homes.

"Anything within a mile of the stations has seen an enormous increase in the last few years."

Average house prices in South Bucks have jumped by 46 per cent to £569,488, with prices in Windsor and Maidenhead rising to £479,058 - a 51 per cent increase since May 2010.

Slough Observer:

Mr Henry believes first time buyers have been priced out of the area, especially people who live in the town, with more people coming out of London and from further afield to buy homes.

He added: "I do not think any first time buyers will be able to afford that, not least the 10 per cent deposit.

"More people are coming out of London as it's unaffordable for a lot of people and investors look for where the closest place is that they can buy that it is cheaper.

"Slough is one of the first places they come to because of Crossrail and also the fast trains into London Paddington."

Crossrail, which stretches from East London to Reading, is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2019.

Slough Observer:

Andrew Harvey, Senior Economic Analyst at Nationwide, said: “Whether it be due to Sir John Betjeman’s poem ‘Slough’ or the cult TV show, The Office, Slough has been much maligned for many years. However, our research into the effect of the new Elizabeth Line on house prices in the town suggests that this may be unfair and that Slough, in fact, may be a more desirable place to live than people might imagine.

“The new Elizabeth Line is likely to make Slough an attractive proposition for London workers who prefer not to live in the capital as journey times will be around 15 minutes faster into Central London and 20 minutes faster to the Docklands."