Trains cancelled - live: Travel cancelled across UK after heatwave fires and record temperatures

Travellers left ‘worried’ and ‘anxious’ by train cancellations

Travellers have been left “worried” and “anxious” after dozens of train services were cancelled due to the extreme heat.

Lee Ball was trying to travel with his wife, Libby, and 10-year-old daughter, Amelie, from their home in Droitwich, Worcestershire, to London Euston as part of a journey to Brussels for an Ed Sheeran concert.

The 46-year-old said their train from Droitwich to Birmingham New Street was cancelled with less than 30 minutes’ notice so they drove to Birmingham International, where they have been left waiting for hours.

He said: “I’ve been up since 4.30am, anxious, trying to get an answer from anywhere we can. I was monitoring trains this morning from Birmingham New Street to London Euston and one was literally cancelled with five minutes’ notice.”

He added that communication from the train companies has been “appalling”.

“It’s massive, massive anxiety,” he said. “Not being able to sleep, 4am this morning, fretting, seeing if there had been any updates.”

Nicole Dixon, 26, has missed her uncle’s funeral in Carlisle after any available trains from Euston were cancelled.

“I’m incredibly annoyed, frustrated and a bit exhausted,” the private PA said.

“I was told that there was an unlikely chance of getting a train out (yesterday) but that (today) they would 100 per cent be running. I explained to (staff) that I needed to be home for a funeral in the morning.

“I’ve felt really annoyed this morning as I was assured I’d be able to make it to the funeral.”

Alex Davies, a charity worker from Crewe, said he was “physically and mentally exhausted” from trying to organise his journey home from Portsmouth via London Euston.

The 28-year-old said: “I’m autistic and need a lot of help from my wife, but she couldn’t get the time off work to travel with me so the whole saga has been extremely difficult for me. I need to know plans in advance, struggle to adapt to changes, struggle with communication etc.”

William Janes and Lily Ford, PA20 July 2022 15:26

Merseyrail sets out ‘strike timetable’

Passengers in Merseyside will be able to travel by train next Wednesday despite a strike by Network Rail staff, Merseyrail has said.

Members of the RMT union working as signallers or maintenance staff are due to strike from 2am on 27 July for 24 hours.

Even though no Merseyrail staff will be walking out, only limited services will be possible on lines signalled by non-union staff and management.

The train operator says it will operate an hourly service from 7.30am to 6.30pm on 27 July “to help passengers make essential journeys”.

The lines with trains are all based on journeys to and from Liverpool Central:

On Thursday 28 July, some early trains will be cancelled.

Andy Heath, Merseyrail’s managing director, said: “I would stress to those intending to travel on July 27, that services will be hourly, will only serve limited stations and are likely to be very busy.”

Simon Calder20 July 2022 14:41

‘Resilience taskforce’ launched by Network Rail

As millions of rail passengers face cancellations, delays and uncertainties in the aftermath of the extreme heat, Network Rail has launched a “resilience taskforce”.

The infrastructure owner and operator says the expert-led group will be “focused on gathering insights from other countries and making comparisons with international rail networks that are more used to dealing with extreme heat and fluctuations in temperature”.

Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “The weather we’ve experienced this week has put a huge amount of pressure on our infrastructure, our staff and our passengers, and with extreme weather events becoming more frequent as our climate continues to change, we’ve got to pull out all the stops to make our railway as resilient as possible.”

Simon Lane, former chief executive of railways in New South Wales respectively, will “explore operational standards, policies and practices which could allow services to continue to operate safely and without highly limiting speed restrictions in extreme heat”.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent transport watchdog Transport Focus, will examine how Network Rail communicates with passengers in the run-up to and during periods of extreme weather, as well as in its planning for disruptive events.

Simon Calder20 July 2022 13:16

Signalling problem between Stratford and St Pancras fixed

The signalling problem between Stratford International and St Pancras is now fixed, says Southern Rail. The operator warns that delays may be ongoing.

“Work is complete and the line is now reopen. Please allow extra time for your journey as we work to get services and crew back into their correct positions,” they tweeted.

Tickets for the line are being accepted on Tube, DLR and Fastrack trains.

Lucy Thackray20 July 2022 12:37

Disruption continues across train network

Network Rail is reporting continuing disruption across various routes until at least 1pm.

This includes:

In addition, lines have reopened following severe damage to the overhead electric wires between Lancaster and Carlisle. Trains running between these stations may still be cancelled, delayed or revised whilst service recovers.

Damage to the overhead electric wires earlier today between Windermere and Oxenholme Lake District is also causing disruption to journeys through these stations. Rail replacement has been provided between Windermere and Oxenholme Lake District.

Helen Coffey20 July 2022 12:17

Level crossing melts in heat

Pictures shared by Network Rail show level crossing signalling equipment having literally melted after yesterday’s record-busting temperatures resulted in fires across the South East.

“We’re asking you to check your journeys before travelling on the East Coast Main Line today because we expect severe disruption,” it tweeted alongside the images.

“We’re repairing the line after a fire on the route between Peterborough and London King’s Cross.”

Helen Coffey20 July 2022 11:12

Passengers abandon train stuck in tunnel and walk along tracks

Passengers abandoned a train stuck in a tunnel at Birmingham New Street and walked along the tracks to the platform yesterday.

The West Midlands Railway train was travelling from Lichfield to New Street on Tuesday afternoon when it came to a halt after overhead powerlines became damaged by the extreme heat.

Passengers were stuck on board the train for over an hour before several of them decided to disembark and walk along the railway line to the platform.

Read the full story:

Aisha Rimi20 July 2022 10:44

All trains cancelled from King's Cross

All trains out of King’s Cross are cancelled this morning.

The first service from the north London station currently showing as “on time” is the 12pm Eastern Railway service to Inverness, followed by the 12.03 service to Leeds.

A 12.12 Great Northern train to Ely is also advertised as running as usual.

“There is severe disruption to services between London King’s Cross and Peterborough this morning,” the station tweeted.

“A fire which spread to the railway has caused damage to signalling equipment near Sandy.

“Check with your train operator before travelling.”

Helen Coffey20 July 2022 10:15

‘Stampede’ for trains at Euston station

As the majority of West Coast services are cancelled this morning, Euston station has seen a “stampede” for trains still running, reports ITV journalist Paul Brand.

He shared pictures and video on social media, showing hundreds of travellers attempting to board available services.

“Scenes at Euston this morning where trains continue to be so disrupted by the heat that the vast majority of West Coast services have been cancelled…causing somewhat of a stampede for the one train that’s running,” he tweeted.

“Staff had to shout at people to walk not run as they raced for a seat on the train.

“People this morning were still paying £140 for what they didn’t know would be the privilege of standing for their journey. Dozens in our carriage didn’t get a seat (keeping an eye out for anyone who needs mine more than me).”

Helen Coffey20 July 2022 09:53

West Coast mainline sees severe disruption

The West Coast main line, linking southern Scotland, northwest England and the West Midlands with London Euston has a wide range of problems.

The Caledonian Sleeper, which normally connects Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William with London Euston, has been suspended. Passengers spent the night on board trains that were held at London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Avanti West Coast, the main operator, says: “Extreme heat has caused major damage to the railway infrastructure on the Avanti West Coast network.” The current disruption affects:

Simon Calder20 July 2022 09:40