Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption to services this week as a third heatwave is expected to sweep across the country. A yellow heat alert has been issued for Merseyside as temperatures begin to climb, with parts of the north west, including Liverpool, forecast to reach 30°C. This will be the third heat surge so far this year, following extreme temperatures recorded in May and June.
EMR Urges Essential Travel Only
The East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, has urged passengers to avoid the network if possible and only make essential journeys this week. If travel is essential, customers are encouraged to travel before 12pm to avoid the highest temperatures. Customers are warned to expect disruption across the network, with longer journey times and an increased risk of delays and short-notice alterations.
To help maintain fleet availability across the network, regional services between Nottingham and Worksop and Nottingham and Leicester will be suspended from 12pm. These changes are being made to reduce the impact of the extreme temperatures on the railway, with some services also expected to operate at reduced speeds for safety reasons.
Operational Plans Under Review
The operational plan for Thursday and Friday remains under review, and customers are encouraged to check their journey before they travel using the EMR website or app. Customers who need to travel are advised to plan ahead and take simple steps to stay safe and comfortable, such as carrying plenty of water to stay hydrated, wearing lightweight clothing, and waiting in shaded areas or station waiting rooms.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: "The hot weather means we'll need to make some temporary changes to our services to keep the railway operating safely. If you do need to travel and the journey is essential, we'd recommend travelling before midday and checking your journey before setting off. We appreciate these changes may inconvenience some customers and we'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we work to keep people moving safely."
