Passengers travelling on West Midlands Railway (WMR) services have been encouraged to only travel if essential on Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July as high temperatures hit the country.
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures set to reach 37°C on Monday and Tuesday.
Extremely hot temperatures can deem railway tracks unsafe, as steel is easily able to absorb heat. Overhead electrical cable wires are also susceptible to high temperatures.
As a result, speed restrictions and reduced timetables will be in place for safety reasons.
A West Midlands Railway spokesperson said:
“With such hot weather forecast for early next week, we are encouraging passengers to only travel on Monday and Tuesday if their journey is absolutely necessary. Speed restrictions and reduced timetables will be in place across our services on these days, so we are expecting disruption.
“If journeys are essential, we urge passengers to check before they travel and plan ahead, including ensuring they stay hydrated. Revised timetables will be confirmed as soon as possible.”
The below timetable information is correct at time of publishing; however, work is ongoing with Network Rail to establish the level of service that can run, and services may be subject to further alteration. Please continue to check back for the latest information.
- Cross City line: Timetables are still being determined, but amendments will be in place and fewer trains will be running
- Rugeley Trent Valley – Birmingham International: Services will run between Rugeley – Birmingham New Street only
- Birmingham New Street – Liverpool Lime Street: Services will be running between Crewe – Liverpool Lime Street only (Birmingham – Crewe via Stoke-on-Trent services will be running as normal)
- Birmingham New Street – Northampton via Coventry: 1 train per hour will be running (calling at all stations between Birmingham International and Northampton in both directions)
- Birmingham New St – Birmingham International services will additionally call at Marston Green in both directions
- Nuneaton – Leamington Spa via Coventry: No service
- Shrewsbury – Birmingham New Street: No service
- Hereford – Birmingham New Street: No service
- Snow Hill lines: Services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford Upon Avon will not run and services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Leamington Spa may also be disrupted
- Wolverhampton – Birmingham / Walsall: Services are planned to run as normal
- Stourbridge Town Car: Services are planned to run as normal
Timetables for other routes are currently planned to run as normal but may be subject to on the day alterations.
Further information – Essential Travel Only: Mon 18 and Tues 19 July | West Midlands Railway
