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Hot weather disrupts train services in south Britain

Xinhua, June 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Britain's Met Office forecast a very warm week across Britain, while the highest temperature is expected to hit the country on Wednesday.

Met Office said on Monday that temperatures would reach about 30 degrees Celsius in parts of the southeast and central areas during the middle of the week, but the heat will just last one or two days.

It will drop slightly by Thursday, before rising again from the south later on Friday and Saturday.

It explained that the heat would start on Wednesday because a tropical continental air mass from mainland Europe would dominate the weather in Britain.

It said in some parts of the southeast and central England, temperatures could reach 32 or 33 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, with an isolated chance somewhere might see 34 to 35 degrees Celsius. Scotland could see highs in the mid to high 20 degrees Celsius, although it may be cloudy here at times.

Because of the intense heat, Network Rail imposed a speed restriction on some services to stop the rails from buckling.

"Warm weather causes the steel rails to expand as they heat up, which is why we closely monitor track temperatures and take action, if it's needed, to keep trains running safely and reliably," a spokesperson of Network Rail said.

"Track temperatures this week are predicted to exceed 50 degrees Celsius in many places, meaning we will need to impose speed restrictions at some locations. This is because slower trains exert lower forces on the track, reducing the risk of buckling and keeping passengers moving," the spokesman added.

First Great Western also amended its service plan in the Thames Valley area on Tuesday due to hot weather.

Fast trains between London Paddington and Bourne End or Henley-on-Thames will be canceled from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. Many trains will be affected.

"The very warm air means there is a risk of us seeing thunderstorms on Wednesday or Thursday but the exact timing and location of those storms, if they happen, is uncertain at the moment," deputy chief meteorologist Laura Paterson said. Endit