There has been widespread travel chaos over the past two days as Greater Manchester reached record temperatures. Tram and train services were ground to a halt as damage to overhead lines and 'buckling' tracks left people stranded.
Temperatures in the city-region topped 37.2 o C breaking the record of 35 o C set just the day before . Trains and trams started off with a normal service on on Monday morning, as temperatures rapidly rose, however, by the evening all were facing severe disruption.
This only became worse by Tuesday, with people urged to not travel as there were widespread cancellations across the network. Many would have expected for this to be resolved today as temperatures have dropped back to a cooler 21 o C, and while trams across GM are back up and running, there are still widespread cancellations on the train network.
Network Rail's Manchester Piccadilly account tweeted this morning warning that there is still severe disruption to journeys. They said: "Following unprecedented weather conditions over the last two days, the rail network is still working to get trains in the right place & repair heat damaged infrastructure. Only travel if your journey is necessary in order to minimise the impact of this disruption.
"We are sorry for the disruption to so many passengers journeys this morning while we recover from the impact of the heat, especially as schools finish and holidays start. Please do #checkbeforeyoutravel on @nationalrailenq to help plan any journeys today."
Avanti West Coast trains to and from London Euston and CrossCountry trains to and from Bournemouth are seeing cancellations due to damage at different points along the lines. The CrossCountry services are being cancelled due to severe disruption at Birmingham New Street as there is damage to the overhead wires.
A fire in Harrow, Greater London, damaged the overhead lines and rail lines yesterday, with work still being carried out to repair this. This has cancelled all trains this morning leaving London Euston for Manchester Piccadilly.
James Dean, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said: “We’re sorry to passengers impacted by the damaged caused to our overhead electric lines during the record-breaking heat. Specialist teams worked all night but have been unable to fix the cables in time for the start of service this morning. We’re doing everything we can to get things back up and running."
TransPennine Express trains out of Piccadilly to Scotland are also being cancelled due to overhead line damage. Network Rail is advising people wishing to travel to Scotland to travel via York due to damage to the line between Lancaster and Carlisle.
Northern trains is experiencing less disruption. Passengers using Northern for Lancaster and Cumbrian destinations are being advised to travel to Preston for onward connections while engineers repair the overhead line at Hest Bank.
However, Northern services running through Manchester Victoria, while experiencing some delays, are not being cancelled. TransPennine Express trains through Manchester Victoria are also running a good service. Transport for Wales and East Midlands Railway services are also good.
For live train service updates, visit National Rail Enquiries.
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