Extreme temperatures in a heatwave can cause rails to expand and buckle, requiring lower speeds for safety. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PAExtreme temperatures in a heatwave can cause rails to expand and buckle, requiring lower speeds for safety. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PARail passengers to be told to only travel if essential amd red extreme heat warningNetwork Rail expected impose speed restrictions, with people told to check if train services are running
Rail passengers will be told to only attempt to travel if essential and check trains are running, with extreme heat expected to disrupt services around Britain.
Temperatures are forecast to rise to 37C across most of southern England and Wales over the next three days, and potentially to 40C in the most affected areas.
One commuter network, Chiltern Railways, which runs between London and Birmingham, has already cancelled more than half of its normal timetable in anticipation of widespread disruption.
Does Bedford train crash raise wider questions about safety?Read moreNetwork Rail is expected to impose speed restrictions, as it did across the country in 2022 when record temperatures were recorded, eventually closing two lines. Slowing down trains would mean most services are significantly delayed or cancelled.
A red extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office for Wednesday and Thursday. Network Rail’s advice against non-essential travel will cover lines in the red zone, which is likely to include services on most mainlines from London – affecting long-distance trains across Great Britain.
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.
It is understood that Chiltern, 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, tha 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.
“If you do need to travel, please stay safe, check your journeys on the morning you travel as planners are still being updated and carry a bottle of water with you at all times.”
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