Honiton: Trains will travel at reduced speed today and tomorrow due to the heatwave

The Met Office have issued a Red Weather Warning for extreme heat for parts of the UK for Monday and Tuesday. Honiton is covered by an Amber Warning, with temperatures expected to reach 30° today.  

Network Rail has urged all customers to reconsider their journeys and try and travel later in the week if possible. Customers who have a ticket for Monday and Tuesday will be able to travel on Wednesday and Thursday instead.

Rail temperatures can be 20° higher than the surrounding air, hence there is a risk of them buckling under extreme heat.

Consequently, Network Rail have imposed speed restrictions across the network to keep customers safe. These restrictions will make journeys much longer and there will be a reduced service on in a bid to give customers certainly as to what will be running and when.

Trains to and from London to Exeter towns in the South West, including Salisbury, Weymouth and Southampton will be affected.

Customers are advised to check for the latest travel updates and expect delays and cancellations. They are also asked to carry water and wear sun cream.

SWR's Customer Experience Director, Christian Neill, said: "These unprecedented temperatures will pose a significant challenge to the national railway infrastructure and we're sorry for the impact they will have on our services on Monday and Tuesday.  

"Network Rail is urging customers to only travel if absolutely necessary and anyone who has to travel should expect longer journey times, short-notice cancellations and disruption. 

"We are working on a reduced timetable that provides certainty for our customers, but changes are likely to come at relatively short notice, so if you do choose to travel, please check your journey as close to your time of travel as possible." 

"These unprecedented temperatures will pose a significant challenge to the national railway infrastructure and we're sorry for the impact they will have on our services on Monday and Tuesday.  

"Network Rail is urging customers to only travel if absolutely necessary and anyone who has to travel should expect longer journey times, short-notice cancellations and disruption. 

"We are working on a reduced timetable that provides certainty for our customers, but changes are likely to come at relatively short notice, so if you do choose to travel, please check your journey as close to your time of travel as possible."