Passengers are being urged to avoid all but essential rail travel as extreme heat triggers widespread disruption across parts of England and Wales. The Met Office has issued red and amber weather warnings, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38C and remain high until at least Saturday. Rail operators have introduced emergency timetables, cancellations and speed restrictions amid concerns that tracks could buckle and overhead power lines could sag in the heat.
London services heavily affected
Some of the most significant disruptions affect services in and around London. Gatwick Express services between London Victoria and Brighton are suspended from early afternoon until the end of service on Wednesday and Thursday. Southern services between East Croydon and Watford Junction are cancelled from midday on both days, meaning stations including Watford Junction, Harrow & Wealdstone, Wembley Central, Shepherd's Bush, Kensington Olympia, West Brompton and Imperial Wharf will not be served by Southern trains. Great Northern services between King's Lynn and King's Cross will run only between King's Lynn and Cambridge, with reduced services into London possible at peak times.
Refunds and alternative travel
Passengers with tickets dated for the affected period can travel on alternative dates at no extra cost or claim a full refund if they choose not to travel. National Rail is advising passengers to check before travelling and, where journeys are unavoidable, to travel early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Separate incident adds to disruption
The heat-related disruption comes on top of a separate major incident between Bedford and Luton, where the railway remains closed following a collision involving two East Midlands Railway trains on 19 June. That closure is expected to remain in place until at least Friday, with no Thameslink services operating between Bedford and Luton and East Midlands Railway services terminating at Bedford. Rail replacement buses are running but operators have warned capacity is extremely limited.
