Commuters are facing severe rush hour delays across the London Underground network on what could be one of the hottest days ever recorded in the UK. The Circle and District lines are completely suspended, causing frustration among passengers as these are among the few lines equipped with air conditioning. The Elizabeth Line has no service between Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 4 due to flooding. The Hammersmith and City Line is experiencing severe delays and no service between Moorgate and Liverpool Street due to a signal failure. The Metropolitan Line has no service between Baker Street and Aldgate, with minor delays on the rest of the line.
Record-Breaking Heatwave Hits the UK
A 'heat dome' settling over western Europe could bring temperatures of up to 40°C in parts of England and Wales. The June record set in Hampshire in 1976 is likely to be overtaken by several degrees, and temperatures could approach the UK's all-time high of 40.3°C recorded in July 2022. The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for extreme heat from 9 am Wednesday to 9 pm Thursday, covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. These warnings are reserved for the most severe events, indicating widespread health risks and potential danger to life, even for those not normally vulnerable to heat.
Transport Disruption and Safety Measures
Transport for London (TfL) warned customers of possible disruption to rail and Tube services due to high rail temperatures, which could lead to temporary speed restrictions and reduced services. Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: 'Customers should be aware that, given the very high temperatures that are forecast, we are likely to see some disruption to rail and Tube services – with rail temperatures likely to lead to temporary speed restrictions and therefore reduced services in some cases. This will vary by line, with some services that share parts of the overground rail network – like the Overground and the Elizabeth line – likely to be more affected.' She added: 'We expect bus services to run as normal, although, during periods of hot weather, we are encouraging customers to carry water with them when they travel on any of our services.'
Health Risks and Precautions
The hot conditions, accompanied by high humidity and very warm nights, will make it difficult for people to recover overnight, the forecaster warned. The red warning means severe and significant impacts are expected, including widespread health risks for many people. Commuters are advised to carry water and plan alternative routes. For the latest updates, visit Metro's London news hub.
