RAIL ALERT: Only travel if necessary due to soaring temperatures
Introduction of speed restrictions on railway lines.
RAIL ALERT: Only travel if necessary due to soaring temperatures:
Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) is urging customers to only make essential journeys on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July, with record breaking temperatures on the way.
The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning for extreme heat expected to reach the high thirties in parts of Wales, including the Vale of Glamorgan.
Meanwhile, a red warning – meaning a risk to life – is in place for large parts of England, including the West Midlands and the North West.
The currently forecasted temperatures will see the introduction of speed restrictions on railway lines across the country to ensure the safe running of trains, which means journeys will take longer.
TfW has announced that services on routes within the areas covered by the red weather warning will be cancelled. The routes affected include:
- Shrewsbury-Birmingham
- Chester-Liverpool
- Chester-Manchester
- Chester-Crewe
- Crewe-Manchester
- Conwy Valley Line
Network Rail’s extreme weather action teams (EWATs) will be using track-side probes and mini weather stations installed around the network to monitor conditions and working closely with weather specialists to adapt plans.
Steel rails absorb heat easily and tend to be around 20 degrees above the surrounding air temperature. When steel becomes very hot it expands and rails can bend, flex and, in serious cases, buckle.
The overhead electric lines which power trains in some parts of the country are also susceptible to faults in extreme temperatures when the steel wires overheat, which can cause them to hang too low and increase the risk of getting caught on passing trains and knocking out the electricity supply.
TfW is working to provide additional capacity on key services to avoid overcrowding, but services are expected to be very busy – particularly to coastal destinations such as the North Wales coast resorts, West Wales and Barry Island, along the Heart of Wales Line due to the Royal Welsh Show, and in South Wales due to university graduations in Cardiff and Swansea – and conditions onboard are likely to be very uncomfortable in the extreme weather.
Passengers are strongly advised to check before travelling in case of further changes to the timetable or on-the-day disruption. Passengers should not travel if they feel unwell, and should stay hydrated by taking a bottle of water while travelling. Free water refill points are available at Llandudno, Machynlleth and Cardiff Central stations
Network Rail and TfW are working closely to ensure the safety of passengers needing to travel.
• | Vale heatwave alert: high temperatures predicted as health warning issued – report from 11th July
Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
WHEN you elected me in May, I said I had come to listen and to…
Royal Welsh highlights the role of the rural economy
Parent may have to lose job for school run
Double victory for Pencoed cricketers
