Rail passengers have been warned to expect disruption on Monday and Tuesday due to the heatwave. A weather warning for extreme heat is in place from Sunday morning until midnight on Tuesday with temperatures over 35C expected.
People are being urged to only travel by train on those two days if absolutely necessary due to the high temperatures. Network Rail have said the extreme heat will lead to cancellations, delays and last-minute alternations.
While trains can run in extreme heat - the high temperatures can cause problems with rails and overhead lines. Network Rail they will introduce speed restrictions on lines across the country to ensure the safe running of trains during the hot weather.
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Gary Walsh, Network Rail route director, said: “The railway in this country is simply not engineered to run normally in such extreme temperatures.
“We’ve got extra teams out around the route, ready to respond to any incidents, but with temperatures set to break all records, we need to also reduce the speed at which trains can run.
“This reduces the risk of tracks buckling in the heat and also means that when the overhead line expands it won’t get tangled on passing trains.”
Network Rail, which operates 20,000 miles of track across the UK, advised people in England and Wales to only travel “where necessary” and said that journeys would take “considerably more time”.
TransPennine Express (TPE) has urged anyone taking essential journeys on these days to pack water and sun cream.
Operations director at TPE Kathryn O’Brien said: “With weather warnings in place between Sunday and Monday and a number of speed restrictions planned to be imposed on Monday and Tuesday, we will be running an amended train plan and are urging people to only travel if absolutely necessary on these dates.
“This is likely to be some of the hottest weather we’ve ever seen and it’s really important that anyone making an essential journey is prepared and brings water and sunscreen along with them.
“Journeys will take longer than usual and further disruption is likely. Anyone using our services on Monday and Tuesday should check before they travel and allow plenty of extra time.”
Avanti West Coast has warned passengers who wish to use services between London Euston and Scotland to plan ahead due to the impact of the heat on rail lines.
Transport for Greater Manchester has also told people not to travel during the heatwave. They have warned that high temperatures can cause rail tracks to buckle, so trams will run - but at lower speeds.
On Monday and Tuesday trams will run to a 12-minute schedule, with double-trams operating, in order to provide a service for passengers who need to travel. They warn that high temperatures can cause rail tracks to buckle, so trams will run at lower speeds.
Sean Dyball, Head of Customer Experience at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “It’s great to see the sun shining in Greater Manchester, but the extreme heat we are set to experience over the next few days can have a serious impact on both transport services and people’s health.
“Due to the extremely high temperatures expected, we are advising people not to travel during next week’s heatwave – on Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July - unless it is necessary.
“If you do need to travel during the heatwave, please make sure you take plenty of water with you to stay hydrated and also allow extra time for your journey – just in case there are any delays on the roads or on the public transport networks.
“I’d also call on passengers to keep an eye out for more vulnerable travellers and offer people a seat if you see them struggling in the hot weather.”
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