controversial decision to scrap day travelcards.

The town’s MP and a rail passengers' association have expressed displeasure with the Mayor of London after a controversial decision to scrap day travelcards.

The London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been considering withdrawing those day travelcards which are added on to National Rail tickets for people travelling from outside the Oyster zone.

These currently give unlimited travel on TfL services.

Without them, people visiting London from the South East will have to pay for their National Rail fare into London, and then switch to Oyster or contactless for onward journeys in the city.

The proposals were unpopular locally – but nonetheless, the Mayor has now given Transport for London the required minimum six months’ notice to withdraw from the travelcard agreement.

Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers’ Association (MMPA) was among those who were against the change.

Member Richard Porter said the impact will be ‘significant' particularly for holders of senior and other railcards, as the pay-as-you-go contactless system does not handle discounted fares.

“[Mr] Khan was under significant pressure from the then Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps during last year's funding negotiations,” he said.

The ‘consultation’ looked like going through the motions, and the result was a foregone conclusion.”

He added that the MMP does not think it likely that withdrawing from the scheme will save much money, as ‘the extra cost and complexity will no doubt deter some visitors'.

MP Theresa May is also ‘disappointed’ that Mr Kahn is pressing ahead with his plans to scrap the day travelcard, despite ‘vigorous opposition’ from herself and people across Maidenhead.

“This will hit the pockets of hardworking families across my constituency, making it increasingly costly to travel into London,” she said.

“The London Mayor has recklessly mismanaged Transport for London’s finances and now he is seeking to recuperate costs by hammering us here in Maidenhead.

“We know that the ULEZ will already add to the costs for local people who drive into London.

“Now, when we should be encouraging more people onto greener forms of transport, Sadiq Khan seems intent on punishing those using public transport.