Today's high temperatures to bring disruption to Thames Valley train services

Speed restrictions put in place

TRAIN services through the Thames Valley are to disrupted today (Tuesday) because of scorching temperatures.

With rail track temperatures expected to exceed 50 degrees in parts of London and the Thames Valley, Network Rail has placed speed restrictions on main junctions in and out of London Paddington

The restrictions will be in place between 1.30pm and 7pm and Great Western Railway is warning people that journeys may be delayed or cancelled.

GWR said that while a majority of services are expected to operate as timetabled, journeys may take between 10-15 minutes longer.

The following services are expected to be cancelled:

• All Thames Valley branch lines to remain in branch operation but with no direct London services
• London Paddington to Bedwyn and return services will operate between Bedwyn and Reading only
• London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa and return will operate between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa only
• London Paddington to Oxford direct (calling Slough, Reading, Didcot and Oxford) and return services are cancelled. Passengers are advised to travel to Didcot for connecting services to Oxford.

The company is advising passengers to check before they travel, to drink plenty of water, and to lookout for vulnerable people travelling by rail.

A GWR spokesperson said: “With temperatures in London set to exceed 30 degrees, the effect can bring the temperature of the rails to over 50 degrees, and we have been asked by Network Rail to drive more slowly as a result.

“We will continue to keep an eye on the situation, alongside Network Rail, and keep you updated throughout the day.”

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Our modern rails are far more resistant to heat expansion and buckling than they used to be. However, a day this hot affects even our track, so we need to restrict speeds for safety."

Full details can be found at networkrail.co.uk/delays explained

How are you faring with today's temperatures? Email john.herring@newburynews.co.uk