Avoid trains for 48 hours if you can, say rail operators

South London train operators have warned the public not to to travel by rail for two days, as the country braces for one of the hottest days on record.

Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink trains, is urging its customers to travel only if their journey is truly necessary today (Monday) and tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued a ‘Red Warning for Extreme Heat’ in London and to the north, and an ‘Amber Warning’ for south of the capital. This means there is a substantial risk of disruption to the train service.

Thameslink and Great Northern will be running a significantly reduced service across all routes with speed restrictions in place.

Trains that do run will be busy and travel is expected to be disrupted with a high chance of incidents that cause cancellations.

Cancellations are also expected on Southern due to speed restrictions and further disruption is highly likely on the day.

Gatwick Express services will not run but Southern services will run in their place making extra stops.

Govia Thameslink Railway Chief Operating Officer Angie Doll said: “Please think carefully about your options and travel only if absolutely necessary on Monday and Tuesday.

“With the Met Office issuing warnings for extreme heat, speed restrictions are being put in place across our network to keep trains and passengers safe.

“This means we’ll have far fewer services for people to catch and there will also be at very real risk of substantial disruption. Even if you are able to travel in the morning, you may need to consider alternative ways to get home as a result.”

Trains listed in online journey planners such as www.nationalrail.com will be updated throughout the next 48 hours when temperatures are expected to reach up to 40 degrees – which would be a record high for the UK.

More information about the planned service can be seen at www.greatnorthernrail.com, www.southernrailway.com and www.thameslinkrailway.com.

Jake Kelly, Network Rail’s System Operator group director, said: “Rail passengers in England and Wales should only travel if necessary on Monday and Tuesday as there will be delays and cancellations to train services due to the unprecedented heat we’re expecting.

“Journeys will take significantly longer and delays are likely as speed restrictions are introduced to keep passengers and railway staff safe, so make sure to allow considerably more time to complete your journey and be prepared for very hot conditions.

Picture: Thameslink Railway