Rail travelers in England and Wales should only travel if necessary during next week’s heatwave, Network Rail has warned.
The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday, with parts of England expected to reach 40C.
Those traveling are advised to wear cool clothing, bring portable fans and ensure they have plenty of water.
Network Rail said speed limits would be introduced across the country.
These restrictions are necessary to ensure safe train traffic, said the railway operator.
“The impact on train service will vary by region, but journeys will take significantly longer and there is a high likelihood of cancellations, delays and last-minute changes.”
Network Rail’s Jake Kelly said the journeys would take “significantly longer” and delays were likely.
- National emergency declared after red heat warning
Jac Starr, managing director of Rail Delivery Group, said: “In hot weather it’s really important to have water on you to avoid dehydration. If you feel ill, please hop off at the next available station and seek assistance from a member of staff.
“Please allow more time for your journey on the affected days, as speed restrictions can cause delays and train cancellations, especially on longer routes, and check train time information before setting off.”
Network Rail said in a statement: “Steel rails absorb heat easily and tend to be around 20 degrees above ambient air temperature. When steel gets very hot it expands and rails can bend, flex and in severe cases buckle.”
It added that the steel overhead electric lines would also hang too low as they expand in extreme heat, increasing the risk of power disruptions.
The forecast high temperatures have also prompted the RAC motorsport association to issue warnings as it expects more car breakdowns if engines overheat.
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