As the UK swelters under a blistering heatwave, rail passengers are being told to think twice before boarding a train - with essential journeys only advised, as scorching temperatures threaten to buckle tracks and spark fires. The Met Office confirmed that south-east England entered heatwave criteria on Monday evening, sparking concerns over railway safety.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber alert for the Midlands and southern England, warning of potential substantial impacts on health and social care services. Forecasters predict temperatures will soar to as high as 35C in some areas by Friday and Saturday, posing significant challenges for rail infrastructure - with steel rails capable of reaching a scorching 50C when air temperatures hit 30C.
Train operators are taking precautions, with East Midlands Railway (EMR) advising passengers to travel before 12pm to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Regional services between Nottingham and Worksop, and Nottingham and Leicester, will be suspended from Wednesday afternoon, while other services will operate at reduced speeds for safety reasons.
Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail have urged customers to carry water and check for updates - but stress that travel can still occur as normal with caution. The Met Office forecasts warmer air will extend to northern parts of the UK by the weekend, bringing increasingly humid conditions and a heightened risk of showers or thunderstorms.
The UKHSA's amber alert highlights the likelihood of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a potential rise in mortality among vulnerable populations. The public is reminded to stay hydrated, seek shade, and check on those who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses - with medical concerns directed towards contacting their GP or NHS 111.