Train services across Greater Manchester will be 'significantly reduced' throughout the rest of this week amid a period of 'extreme heat', it has been confirmed. Fresh rail travel warnings have been issued with Northern and Avanti West Coast services impacted by the soaring temperatures.
The UK recorded its hottest ever June day on record on Wednesday (June 24), with a peak temperature of 35.7C, breaking the previous record from the summer of 1976. More than 1,000 schools and nurseries up and down the UK fully shut or closed early due to the sweltering conditions, which prompted amber and a rare red warning from the Met Office for extreme heat.
Travel Warnings and Service Reductions
In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, Northern trains advised customers to only travel if their journey is essential, with services to be impacted across multiple lines until Friday (June 26). A spokesperson said: "Due to the extreme heat, we have had to significantly reduce the number of trains running in Greater Manchester until Friday, and those that are running will be much busier than usual. We are advising customers to only travel if their journey is essential, check their full journey before setting off, and to be prepared for longer waiting times and short-notice cancellations. We are doing everything we can to keep people moving safely."
Meanwhile, Avanti West Coast, which serves regular journeys to Manchester Piccadilly, also confirmed a reduction in the number of services between Tuesday (June 23) and Thursday (June 25). "The Met Office has issued red and amber weather warnings for extreme heat across much of England and Wales from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 June," a statement read. "As a result of these high temperatures, we’re running fewer trains on some of our routes from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June and there’s a risk of further disruption on the rail network. We’re offering additional ticket flexibility to help keep you moving safely and as comfortably as possible in the extreme high temperatures. We strongly recommend you travel earlier in the day if you can, with cooler temperatures expected before 12:00. Please check our travel advice and ticket options before you travel."
Heat Health Alerts and School Closures
Red heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. Amid the weather conditions, transport services have been disrupted and people are being urged to stay inside, close windows and curtains and stay hydrated to beat the heat. More than 1,000 schools and nurseries fully shut or closed early on Wednesday due to the extreme heat.
Why Hot Weather Affects Rail Services
According to Network Rail, the hot temperatures can cause delays and cancellations to railway services. This is because the overhead lines that provide power to the trains can expand and sag in warmer conditions, which means trains need to run slower to avoid causing damage to the lines. When overhead lines then become damaged, further services are cancelled or diverted until they are fixed, which then causes a further backlog. "Modern overhead lines, which are used on the majority of Britain’s rail network, are much less affected by hot weather," Network Rail said. "They have auto-tension systems with balance weights or springs that adjust to different temperatures. But older overhead lines have fixed tension and are more vulnerable."
