'Essential travel only' says rail service as Met Office issues rare red heat warning

Great Western Railway (GWR) has warned customers to travel "only if necessary" this Wednesday and Thursday, following a rare Met Office red warning for extreme heat.

The warning, which runs from Monday 22 June until Thursday 25 June, means fewer trains will run and journey times will be longer during the warmest periods of each day.

Rail infrastructure and equipment are highly vulnerable to prolonged high temperatures. Extreme heat can cause rails to expand and buckle, forcing trains to run more slowly to keep services safe.

The weather can also affect equipment on GWR's older regional train fleet, including engines and cooling systems, leading to potential short-notice changes or cancellations during the hottest parts of the day.

While GWR expects to operate the majority of services across its network, service reductions are being put in place as a precaution.

To help customers avoid travelling during the worst of the heat, GWR is easing ticket restrictions.

Tickets for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June can instead be used on Monday 22, Tuesday 23, and up to and including Friday 26 June.

However, due to the short-notice changes, industry information systems will not show the correct train timetable until the day of travel. Passengers are advised to check journey times closer to the time of travel.

“We want to keep our customers safe during this period of extreme heat, which is why we are taking the precautionary step of amending services at the hottest times of day,” said GWR and Network Rail Performance Director, Daryn McCombe.

“We know this is disruptive and we're sorry for the inconvenience it will cause, but customer safety must come first. We'd encourage everyone planning to travel on Wednesday and Thursday to travel earlier in the week or later, allow extra time and bring water with them.”

With the Met Office warning that the high temperatures could lead to serious illness, GWR has issued the following guidance for those who must travel:

• Only travel if necessary on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Check before you travel: Plan ahead and check journey times closer to the time of travel, particularly for the hottest part of the day.
• Allow extra time: Journeys are likely to take longer than usual, especially if you have a connection to make.
• Bring water: Carry water with you, particularly if travelling during the hottest periods or waiting on platforms.
• If you feel unwell, don't board: If you are waiting for a train and feel unwell due to the heat, speak to a member of staff who will be able to help.