Rail passengers have been advised to travel only if "absolutely essential" and to check services are running, as extreme heat is expected to disrupt train services across Britain.
Temperatures and Affected Areas
Temperatures are forecast to reach 37C across most of southern England and Wales over the next three days, potentially hitting 40C in the most affected areas. Intercity trains from London to Birmingham, Manchester, and beyond are expected to be among the worst hit.
Chiltern Railways, which runs between London and Birmingham, has already cancelled more than half of its normal timetable in anticipation of widespread disruption.
Speed Restrictions and Safety Measures
Network Rail has announced that speed restrictions will be imposed, similar to those in 2022 when record temperatures led to the closure of two lines. Slower trains will result in significant delays or cancellations, and no rail replacement bus services will be provided during this period.
The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday. Network Rail's advice against non-essential travel applies to lines in the red zone, which includes most mainlines from London, affecting long-distance trains across Great Britain.
Official Statements
Jake Kelly, deputy chief executive of Network Rail, said: "Extreme heat can have a significant impact on the railway, so safety must come first. We're asking passengers to check before travelling on Tuesday, and only travel if absolutely essential on Wednesday and Thursday if they are going to, from or within the red warning zone as temperatures are expected to peak."
He added: "If you do need to travel in this area or outside of it where it will still be hot, please plan ahead, allow extra time and take necessary precautions, such as carrying water, to stay safe."
Impact on Infrastructure
Extreme temperatures can cause steel rails to expand and buckle, requiring lower speeds for safety. Intense heat also increases the risk of overhead wires on electrified routes sagging or breaking, and could cause signalling and electrical systems to overheat and fail.
The disruption from the heatwave comes as services on the Midland mainline remain affected after the fatal collision on Friday between two EMR trains at Bedford, which killed a train driver and injured about 100 passengers. Investigations and repair work are expected to continue and limit services for the rest of the week.
Operator Responses
Chiltern Railways, whose services fall entirely within the red zone, is thinning out services to try to ensure most can run or recover, with disruption seen as inevitable. Michael Stewart, commercial director at Chiltern Railways, said: "We strongly advise you to avoid travelling over the next three days if possible. Trains are running at greatly reduced levels to ensure everyone's safety, which means you may experience significant delays and very busy conditions."
LNER, which runs trains between London and Edinburgh on the east coast mainline, has also told passengers that it "strongly recommends" they do not travel on Wednesday or Thursday. Both operators have said tickets booked for those days can be used on Friday instead. Other operators are expected to follow suit.
