•Existing strategy is based around a combination of several schemes, notably the Intercity Express Programme, electrification, Reading remodelling and Crossrail services to Maidenhead. However given constraints at London Paddington and on its approaches this does not directly facilitate extra main line trains into London in the high peak, so further interventions appear to be necessary.
•Incremental changes recommended to provide some additional capacity include extending Crossrail route services to Reading, lengthening services from Oxford and Newbury from 8-car to 12-car formation and running 16 rather than 15 main trains in the high peak. However this is not forecast to be sufficient to cater for the forecast growth.
•The RUS recommends further consideration of a major re-cast of the timetable and service structure on the Great Western Main Line – seen as the only realistically viable way to meet forecast demand on the route. This would see four extra fast main line services from Reading (or beyond) to Paddington in the busiest peak hours, utilising the existing Heathrow Express paths.
•The RUS seeks to run additional services between the Great Western route and the Crossrail tunnels, reducing the need for trains to terminate at Paddington. The combination of the Reading extension and a 10 trains per hour Crossrail service to Heathrow would involve 16 rather than 10 Crossrail trains on the GWML at peak times.
•A western connection to Heathrow is also recommended for detailed consideration, which would allow services to be extended to both Reading (via Slough) and Staines.