Travel chaos as Britain braces for record heat

Thousands of Eurotunnel passengers were left in limbo Thursday night after the cross-channel rail operator cancelled tickets for Friday as air conditioning units on its trains failed in the heat.

The company said it had taken the “unprecedented decision to cancel day trip/ overnight tickets” for travel Friday as the country prepared itself for the hottest day on record.

Several carriages had to be taken out of service due to the suffocating heat, leading to chaos where families faced five-and-a-half hour queues.

England became the hottest country in Europe Thursday as temperatures rose to 36 C, leading to widespread cancellations of summer outdoor events.

Many were driven to drastic measures — the Marylebone Cricket Club even broke its strict dress code and said it would allow members to enter the Lord’s pavilion without a jacket for the first time.

A spokesman said: “To our knowledge this is the first time members have been given prior permission not to bring a jacket at all.”

The heat wave, which could break records Friday if conditions pass 38.5 C, has led to fun runs, charity walks, dog shows, gigs and fairs being called off over fears that participants would overheat.

Many dog shows were called off after The Dogs Trust warned animals would suffer if they exerted themselves in the heat, while councils cancelled sports days and the National Trust abandoned some outdoor events.

Hospitals were forced to cancel non-urgent operations as emergency departments were flooded with people complaining of respiratory problems and dehydration. Nurses reported feeling exhausted, sick and dizzy as temperatures soared inside buildings.

Britain’s transport infrastructure also struggled to cope in the heat, with rail services across the country cancelled as tracks buckled, leading to speed restrictions.

Temperatures of 37 C were recorded by commuters on the London Underground, and commuters in the capital were also forced to endure high air-pollution, leading to the mayor, Sadiq Khan, issuing a major alert.

The heat wave was forecast to end with thunderstorms Friday with yellow weather warnings issued for the north and east. The U.K.’S National Weather Service said there were risks of torrential downpours, flooding, gusts and hail.