National Rail has advised passengers to 'only travel if absolutely necessary' on Friday as a June heatwave grips London, with the Met Office issuing red and amber weather warnings for extreme heat. Temperatures are expected to remain high until at least Saturday, reaching up to 38C.
Widespread Disruptions and Speed Restrictions
Network Rail warned of 'significant disruption' due to speed restrictions imposed to minimise risks from heat-related issues such as buckled rails and sagging overhead electric wires. Many services have been cancelled or reduced across key rail lines serving London.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast confirmed temporary travel easements to support customers. Fewer trains will run on some routes on Friday, with further disruption possible. Tickets can be used at no extra cost on other Avanti services over the coming days.
c2c
c2c announced multiple cancellations and warned of more delays. Passengers are asked to travel only if absolutely necessary, and to travel earlier if possible. Cancelled services on Friday include: 15:11 London Fenchurch Street to Southend Central, 16:10 London Fenchurch Street to Pitsea, 16:21 London Fenchurch Street to Pitsea, 17:10 London Fenchurch Street to Grays, 17:40 London Fenchurch Street to Grays, 18:19 London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, 18:51 London Fenchurch Street to Grays, 18:55 London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, 14:27 Thorpe Bay to London Fenchurch Street, 16:35 Southend Central to London Fenchurch Street, 17:17 Pitsea to London Fenchurch Street, 17:32 Pitsea to London Fenchurch Street, 17:57 Leigh-on-Sea to London Fenchurch Street, 18:03 Grays to London Fenchurch Street, and 18:33 Grays to London Fenchurch Street. A speed restriction between Benfleet and Pitsea may cause delays of up to 20 minutes.
Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways will run an amended timetable on Friday with fewer than 50% of normal services on routes between Birmingham and London Marylebone, Oxford and London Marylebone, and Aylesbury and London Marylebone (via Amersham). Passengers are strongly advised to avoid travel if possible. Tickets booked for Friday can be used on any date up to and including Tuesday June 30 at no extra cost.
East Midlands Railway
East Midlands Railway introduced temporary travel easements and advised customers to travel before 12pm when temperatures are cooler. All tickets for Friday can be used on earlier services or any service until Tuesday June 30. Passengers who no longer wish to travel can claim a full refund from their point of purchase.
Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway (GWR) advised customers to travel only if necessary on Friday. Speed restrictions mean fewer services and extended journey times. Trains from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids, Plymouth, Penzance, Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central/Swansea, and Worcester/Hereford will be reduced to one per hour. An amended timetable runs between Newbury/Didcot Parkway and London Paddington, with services terminating at Reading or running non-stop between Reading and London Paddington. Tickets can be used on Elizabeth line services between Reading and London Paddington, or on GWR services between Reading and London Paddington.
London Northwestern Railway
London Northwestern Railway advised travel only if essential on Friday, with a reduced service across the network. One train per hour will run between Birmingham New Street, Northampton, and London Euston, while two trains per hour will run between Milton Keynes Central and London Euston, with additional cancellations likely. Services starting and terminating at Tring will be cancelled. Tickets can be used on any day up until Tuesday June 30.
LNER
LNER strongly recommends passengers not to travel across the LNER route this week. Tickets for Friday can be used free of charge until Tuesday June 30, and new seat reservations can be booked free of charge.
South Western Railway
South Western Railway advised customers to travel only if absolutely necessary on Friday. Fewer trains will run, and those that do will be busier with longer journey times. Tickets for Friday can be used free of charge until Tuesday June 30.
Southern
Southern trains between East Croydon and Watford Junction in either direction will be cancelled from 12pm on Friday until the end of the day. Stations including Imperial Wharf, West Brompton, Kensington (Olympia), Shepherd's Bush, Wembley Central, Harrow & Wealdstone, and Watford Junction will not be served by Southern trains. Passengers travelling to or from these stations after 12pm can use their ticket on other services at no extra cost.
Southeastern
Southeastern passengers are advised to travel only if absolutely necessary on Friday. Daily ticket holders can apply for a fee refund if they decide not to travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is running a reduced service on Friday. Trains will depart at XX:25 and XX:55 past the hour from London Paddington, XX:27 and XX:57 past the hour at Heathrow Terminal 5, and XX:02 and XX:32 past the hour at Heathrow Terminal 2 & 3.
Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express services between London Victoria and Brighton will be suspended from early afternoon until the end of service on Friday. The last services are the 12:29 from London Victoria towards Brighton and the 12:39 from Brighton towards London Victoria.
