TRAIN passengers have been told to expect significant delays and cancellations over fears of rails ‘buckling’ in the hot weather.
Hundreds of journeys have been affected as temperatures of up to 40C could be recorded in the UK this week.
Railway operators have begun cancelling services, as red weather warnings have been issued in parts of England and Wales for the coming days.
Network Rail has urged passengers to only take essential journeys to, from or within areas affected by extreme heat, and to prepare for the conditions ahead of time.
They added: “For safety reasons, trains will operate at reduced speeds and to amended timetables, meaning journeys will take longer and there is a heightened risk of delays, cancellations and last-minute alterations.”
Several operators, including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway, have planned to run reduced services during the hottest days.
Between Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Chiltern Railways has also ceased more than half its services “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”.
This is over fears of rails “buckling” – a term used to describe steel rails expanding and curving as they heat up – which can occur as temperatures reach 30C.
Lineside fires create another risk to railways, as vegetation near tracks may be set alight from a combination of train sparks and dry conditions.
A number of tube lines, namely the Elizabeth and Mildmay Lines, have been further affected by flooding as a result of overnight thunderstorms as well as the hot weather.
This follows record-breaking temperatures expected this June.
Met Office spokesman, Grahame Madge, said: “The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East.
“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C.”
Full list of services impacted by hot weather
- East Midlands Railway – Reduced services
- C2C – Planned cancellations here
- Northern Network – Reduced services between several routes
- Cleethorpes and Barton-on-Humber – No trains
- Transport for Wales – Reduced services between Wrexham General and Bidston, Coryton and Penarth. No services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham International, and services cancelled at 13.00pm between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay
- Avanti West Coast – Reduced services
- Great Western Railway – Reduced services
- London Paddington and Heathrow Terminals – Severe disruption
- Elizabeth Line – Partially flooded
- MerseyRail – Speed restriction to Headbolt Lane line
- CrossCountry – Routes affected
- Chiltern Railways – Lines between Between Birmingham and London Marylebone, Oxford and London Marylebone, and Aylesbury and London Marylebone (via Amersham) severely affected.
- Moorgate and Finsbury Park – Disruption expected
- Gatwick Express – Only travel if essential
- Great Northern – Only travel if essential
- Southern – Only travel if essential
- Thameslink – Only travel if essential