Travel expert Simon Caulder has issued an urgent appeal for anyone travelling by train over the coming days to consider changing their plans as a heatwave hits the UK. Appearing on Good Morning Britain on June 23, Caulder warned that rail services face significant disruptions due to extreme heat, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C according to the Met Office, which has issued a red extreme heat warning. Britain could experience its hottest June since 1976.
Caulder's Advice: Move Journeys to End of Week
Caulder urged viewers to swap their travel dates if possible. He said: "My advice to anyone booked to travel by rail over the next few days is, please, if you can, move your journey to the end of the week, then do so. It will be much more comfortable and have a higher degree of actually working as it is supposed to. Otherwise, I'm afraid, just be prepared for delays and disruption."
The rail industry is preparing for problems such as sagging overhead power lines, warped tracks, and fires along the tracks. Travellers are encouraged to depart earlier in the day and bring water. Online journey planners may not display accurate schedules until the day of travel due to last-minute cancellations.
Passenger Rights: Compensation for Delays and Cancellations
According to Citizens Advice, if a train is cancelled, passengers can receive a full refund if they cannot catch the next service or choose not to travel. Delays of over 30 minutes typically entitle passengers to compensation, and some train companies offer compensation for delays of more than 15 minutes. Passengers should keep their tickets and file claims within 28 days, although some operators allow longer periods. For Transport for London services, including the London Underground, passengers can check the TfL website for compensation details.
Railway Operators Reduce Services Amid Heatwave
Avanti West Coast plans to run fewer services between Tuesday and Thursday, warning of further disruption. The company has eased ticket restrictions, allowing passengers to use earlier services at no extra cost, and offering full refunds for tickets booked for travel between Tuesday and Thursday. Chiltern Railways has axed more than half its services over those three days to ensure safety, affecting routes from London Marylebone to Birmingham, Oxford, and Aylesbury via Amersham. The operator stated: "We strongly advise you to avoid travelling 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."
Great Western Railway requested that passengers use services only for essential travel on Wednesday and Thursday, coinciding with the red warning. The company cited impacts on older regional train fleet equipment, including engines and cooling systems. It is operating fewer trains between London Paddington and Reading until Friday due to Network Rail not moving certain points to reduce failure risks in high heat. LNER advised passengers not to travel on its route on Wednesday or Thursday, allowing Tuesday passengers to board earlier services. Disruption also affects Transport for Wales services, including between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay, and between Coryton and Penarth. South Western Railway will run fewer services between Tuesday and Thursday, with its Hampton services also affected by flooding after heavy rain overnight. Flooding caused severe delays on the Elizabeth line between Heathrow and London Paddington, and several London Underground lines faced major disruption, including the suspension of the entire Circle line due to a signalling failure.
