The new train timetable has been slammed for its unfavourable changes to Slough's transport network.

As of May 21, a new train timetable rolled out across the National Rail train network.

It has seen direct trains to Oxford and fast trains to Reading removed from the Slough timetable.

Despite some non-stop services to Paddington continuing, the journey times are reportedly increased by five minutes and only operate at off-peak times and at weekends.

In peak hours Slough is now served only by the Elizabeth Line, with the fastest train taking 28 minutes to Paddington. 

One local, Alan Waite said: "In the evening peak when boarding a westbound Elizabeth Line train at Paddington it is usually standing room only."

However, in Maidenhead, there are several fast peak-hour services taking less than 20 minutes. 

Slough MP, Tan Dhesi, said: "As a key commuter town, regular and convenient rail links are essential.

"I, like many of my constituents, have felt dismayed to see Great Western Railways suspend fast-train services via Slough in their new timetable.

"I have already been in touch with GWR to express my dissatisfaction and disappointment that my Slough constituents have lost out because of some recent timetabling changes.

"GWR responded that as of May, due to the implementation of the final Elizabeth Line timetable, the Oxford and North Cotswold services which currently run fast between Reading, Slough, and London Paddington will no longer call at Slough.

"This means there will be two GWR services each hour calling at Slough in each direction rather than the current four trains per hour."

The timetable change takes into account the Elizabeth Line's completion, which will see up to 10 trains per hour east of Heathrow travelling into London.

Due to this, there are fewer paths available for the Great Western Railway Network.

However, Great Western Railway has confirmed some of their train lines have sped up, including London Paddington-Didcot Parkway Class 387, which will run non-stop from Slough to Paddington on the mainline. The move reportedly saves saving 10 minutes on journey times.

A Great Western Railway spokesperson said: “We regularly review timetables to try and meet customer and stakeholder aspirations.

"We have therefore taken the opportunity in this timetable change to meet long-standing requests to reduce journey times.

"This does mean making some changes to our Slough calling patterns.

"We will be reducing journey time for more customers overall, and timetables are of course a balance, which we will continue to keep under review.”

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, added: “The Elizabeth Line has transformed the lives of Londoners and the experience for visitors to the city in just under a year of TfL operating the service.

"With this new timetable, those travelling through central London will have a train arriving around every two and a half minutes and time will be shaved off many journeys from Reading, Heathrow and into central London."