South Western Railway has extended its “only travel if essential” warning to Friday as the Met Office issues a Red Warning for Extreme Heat for a third consecutive day. It is the first time the UK’s weather warning system has recorded red heat alerts three days in a row.
SWR will again run fewer trains today, Friday, with services slower and finishing earlier than usual. Further short-notice changes remain possible. Your tickets will be valid on alternative days under a temporary scheme.
The reason is physics: rail temperatures can reach 20 degrees more than air temperature. To keep services safe, trains run at reduced speeds and fewer are put on the network.
SWR chief operating officer Stuart Meek said: “We’re sorry that we must extend our advice to only travel if essential to Friday, on top of the advice to only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday. We are working hard to keep customers who need to travel moving, but the extreme temperatures mean we have to run a reduced timetable and there may be further short-notice changes.”
On the Underground, the District Line is running with minor delays between Richmond and Turnham Green due to heat-related speed restrictions. East Putney and Southfields are affected. Good service on the rest of the line.
UK Health Security Agency has a red health alert in place for London until 11pm Friday. Temperatures in the capital could exceed 36°C, possibly 37°C in places.
The heat lifts this weekend. Saturday is forecast at around 32°C, with normal temperatures and rain returning next week.
For cooling centres, shade spots, and safety advice, see our guide from Wednesday.
