Heat is not an excuse for rail services to ‘disintegrate’

Look at weather forecast, Grayling tells train operators after heatwave causes widespread cancellations and delays

MINISTERS have attacked Britain’s rail operators for allowing train services to “disintegrate” during Wednesday’s heatwave.

Chris Grayling, Leader of the Commons, said: “Yes, it has been a hot week but it is not an excuse, simply because it is hot, for the train service to disintegrate.

“Spot the weather forecast coming up and try to make sure you can maintain your service.”

Commuters suffered widespread cancellations and delays after Network Rail warned that excessive heat could cause tracks to buckle.

Virgin Trains East Coast cancelled 10 northbound and 10 southbound services between London King’s Cross and Leeds due to the weather.

A Network Rail spokesman had earlier said that any delays “might not be significant”.

Trains between Lewisham and London Bridge were subject to extensive delays because of the heat.

Chiltern Railways ran services to High Wycombe at reduced speeds because of “poor rail conditions”.

Temperatures hit 98F (36.7C) at Heathrow airport, the highest ever recorded for a day in July.

The heat even affected the Henley Regatta, apparently causing the glue holding together one of King’s School Canterbury’s oars to melt.

Thunderstorms struck parts of the country, with one lightning bolt destroying the roof of a woman’s house in Newcastle.

Lorraine Gibson, 52, narrowly avoided injury but her semi-detached home was severely damaged by the ensuing fire.

She told the Newcastle Chronicle: “I was in the bedroom watching TV and I was watching the storm out of the window. It was around 4pm and then there was this massive boom. I jumped off the bed and it was like an explosion had hit the house.”

A Met Office spokesman said: “Thursday’s temperatures are a good 10C down on Wednesday’s temperatures – still warm, but a fair bit down on the record.”

He warned that temperatures would rise again today. “But then on Friday we do see them picking back up, certainly in the South East and we might see them touch 30C (86F).”

The heatwave and hot weather is set to continue over the weekend despite flood warnings and heavy thundery showers predicted.

Alex Burkill, from the Met Office, said the temperatures will be cooler during the evenings when most of the thundery showers will be hitting the country.

He added: “It will still be hot. It is still above average for the time of year and generally. It will remain hot between the showers. Obviously, it will be noticeably cooler during the showers but will then rise again afterwards.”

Warnings have been issued by the Met Office until tomorrow afternoon due to the thundery showers expected across the country.

Mr Burkill added: “There is a risk of flooding due to the heavy rainfall.”