UK Rail Services Cut Amid Extreme Weather Warning

LONDON, June 23 (NNN-PA Media/dpa) -- Train passengers across the UK are suffering major disruption as operators cut services in response to hot weather, PA Media/dpa reported.

The industry is preparing for problems caused by extreme temperatures, including sagging overhead electric wires, buckled rails and fires along railway lines.

Passengers on Tuesday were advised to travel earlier in the day if possible, and carry a water bottle.

Online journey planners are unable to display accurate timetables until the day of travel due to short-notice cancellations.

Avanti West Coast said it plans to run fewer services than usual between Tuesday and Thursday, and “there’s a risk of further disruption”.

The company eased ticket restrictions, enabling passengers to use an earlier service than the one they booked at no extra cost.

Those with tickets booked for departures between Tuesday and Thursday are eligible for a full refund if they no longer want to travel.

Chiltern Railways has axed more than half its services over those three days “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”.

This affects London Marylebone services to and from Birmingham, Oxford and Aylesbury via Amersham.

The operator said: “We strongly advise you to avoid travelling 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.”

Great Western Railway issued a plea for passengers to use its services for “essential travel only” on Wednesday and Thursday, when the Met Office has a severe red warning in place.

The operator said prolonged high temperatures can affect equipment on its older regional train fleet, including engines and cooling systems.

It is also running fewer trains than normal between London Paddington and Reading until Friday.

This is because Network Rail is not moving some points -- pieces of metal that enable trains to change tracks -- along the route to reduce the risk of failures, which are more likely in high temperatures.

Operator LNER said passengers travelling on Tuesday can board an earlier service, adding “we strongly advise that you do not travel across the LNER route” on Wednesday or Thursday.

There is disruption across the Transport for Wales network, including between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay, and between Coryton and Penarth.

South Western Railway issued an alert stating it will run fewer services than normal between Tuesday and Thursday.

Its services in Hampton, south-west London were also affected by flooding on Tuesday morning after heavy rain overnight.

Flooding also caused severe delays on the Elizabeth line between Heathrow airport and London Paddington.

Several London Underground lines were suffering major disruption on Tuesday morning, including the entire Circle line, which was suspended due to a signalling failure.

--NNN-PA MEDIA/dpa