Commuters faced delays on Tuesday as soaring temperatures affected train services across the UK on the hottest day of the year so far. The highest temperature recorded was 33.5°C (92°F) in Oxfordshire, with 32.4°C in Wales and 29°C in Scotland.
Heat buckled a rail at Selby, North Yorkshire, causing delays of up to 60 minutes. Speed restrictions were imposed on some lines due to high rail temperatures. Great Western Railway reduced train speeds as track temperatures threatened to exceed 50°C in parts of London, adding 10-15 minutes to journey times.
A 46-year-old man died in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, after reportedly jumping into a canal to cool off. The London Ambulance Service received 300 more calls than usual, and Public Health England urged people to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and loose clothing.
The Met Office issued a level three heatwave alert, indicating a 90% probability of heatwave conditions until Thursday morning. However, a yellow warning for rain is in place from Tuesday evening across most of the UK, with a risk of flash flooding and thunderstorms.
In the House of Commons, MPs proposed a legal maximum working temperature of 30°C (27°C for strenuous work), citing the need for employers to provide water, breaks, or air conditioning. Currently, there is no legal limit for maximum working temperatures in the UK.
