ScotRail services on various journeys across the country today will be faced with speed restrictions as Scots bask in another period of warm weather.
The rail company confirmed it has had to impose the limits on some routes including trains bound for Glasgow and Edinburgh, due to temperatures soaring into the high 20s.
Trains will have to run at a reduced speed from around 1pm-8pm in a bid to temper the potentially dangerous effects the sunshine can have on the rails, which may become buckled or overheated in the warmer climes.
Overhead power lines and the ground which the track sits on may also be damaged. Passengers have been warned they may face delays or disruption as a result of the measures, which have been enforced by NetworkRail.
Commuters are being urged to consult the ScotRail app before travelling. The move comes after the Met Office issued an Amber Extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales, with Scotland likely to meet the heatwave criteria by Friday, too.
Dan Rudman, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said: “Thanks to persistent high pressure over the UK, temperatures will be rising day-on-day through this week. Temperatures are expected to peak at 35C on Friday and Saturday, or even an isolated 36C on Saturday.
"Elsewhere will see temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius. Coupled with the high daytime temperatures there will be some warm nights."
The following services will be affected:
- Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Carstairs
- Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts
Edinburgh and North Berwick/Dunbar
Helensburgh Central/ Milngavie and Edinburgh via Bathgate and also Edinburgh and Dunblane
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