Maidenhead MP Theresa May wants the train operator to hand over responsibility for train services including Maidenhead, Twyford and the branch lines.

She said: "The December 2006 timetable has been a disaster. I continue to get emails every day from passengers complaining about overcrowding, delays and cancellations. The recent changes to the timetable have done little to help.

"We will only get a decent service back when we have a train operator committed to commuter services and a Government that is interested in passengers' needs, not its own targets."

A portion of the blame is also being directed at the Government for the specification it set for the new timetable which led to a reduction in fast trains from Maidenhead and Twyford to London and resulted in overcrowding.

Mrs May was due to raise the issue in a parliamentary debate today (Thursday).

"I didn't get satisfactory answers from FGW now let's see what the Minister has to say," she said.

"I have joined with other Thames Valley MPs to call for a meeting with the Secretary of State, FGW and Network Rail with all three present they will no longer be able to simply point the finger of blame and avoid taking any action."

In response to commuter complaints, FGW last week revised part of its timetable in a bid to combat overcrowding after passengers described being ‘crammed in like sardines'.

So far the feedback from commuters has been that it has had little impact.

Mrs May has vowed to press the Health and Safety Executive to look into overcrowding. She said: "It is remarkable that there are laws protecting chickens from overcrowding but nothing to protect human commuters."

FGW was awarded its seven year franchise from April 1, 2006.

Responding to Mrs May's criticisms, FGW spokesman Adrian Ruck said the company is meeting all its performance targets so far. If it continues to do so, the franchise could be extended for a further three years.