Southeastern is urging customers to only travel if absolutely necessary as extreme heat is forecast to impact train services across Kent and southeast London on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Met Office has issued red and amber weather warnings for extreme heat covering Greater London and Kent this week, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout the week and potentially reach highs of up to 38°C in some areas.
Extreme heat can have a significant impact on the railway.
Rails in direct sunshine can reach temperatures of around 50°C, causing them to expand and increasing the risk of infrastructure issues. To keep passengers and staff safe, temporary speed restrictions or changes to services can be necessary.
This means trains may need to run more slowly in some locations, and journeys are likely to take longer, with an increased risk of delays and short-notice changes.
If customers intend to travel, they should remember to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated and plan ahead to help ensure they remain comfortable during their journey.
Extra water will be available at stations and on trains alongside additional staff to support customers.
David Davidson, Chief Operating Officer, South Eastern Railway said:
“Our teams are working hard and doing everything we can to ensure we can keep people safely moving this week. Because of the extreme heat, we are advising customers to only travel if absolutely necessary.
“We’ve put extra support in place across the network, including additional staff on the ground, water available at stations and on trains, and engineering teams positioned to respond quickly if conditions require it.
“There might be short notice changes, with journeys taking longer than usual. Customers should check our website for the latest information. We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we deal with these challenging conditions.”
Customers with Southeastern tickets for Wednesday 24 or Thursday 25 June who choose not to travel can apply for a refund or use their ticket on Tuesday 23 or Friday 26 June at no extra cost. If your journey includes other train operators, you should check National Rail Enquiries for the latest information on arrangements for your full journey.
Customers can check online timetables or sign up for journey alerts via the Southeastern app or website for the latest information on their service.
