Rail passengers across the UK have been told to travel only in 'essential' circumstances as a heatwave pushes temperatures above 35°C, causing significant disruption to train services. Chiltern Railways and East Midlands Railway (EMR) are among operators implementing reduced timetables and suspending services on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Chiltern Railways Cuts Services During Peak Heat
Chiltern Railways is operating a reduced timetable between 11am and 8pm to ensure a 'reliable service' during the hottest part of the day. Michael Stewart, from Chiltern Railways, said: 'If you do need to travel, please check your journey before setting out, allow extra time and carry water with you to stay hydrated.' He added that customers should travel 'only if it's essential on Thursday because of the exceptionally high temperatures forecast across our network.'
Tomorrow, off-peak services between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street will run hourly, with some services between London Marylebone and Oxford cancelled. Chiltern Railways will not run any services from Birmingham Snow Hill after 10.15am. Shuttle services from Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street will only run until 11am. Stewart hopes the minimised schedule will provide more 'comfort' for travellers.
EMR Suspends Regional Services
East Midlands Railway has also advised only 'essential' journeys tomorrow. EMR confirmed that regional services between Sheffield and Liverpool will be suspended on Thursday, while services between Nottingham and Worksop and between Nottingham and Leicester will be suspended after 12pm. Customers have been encouraged to travel before midday where possible and to expect longer journeys and increased risk of short-notice changes, with providers asking for 'patience and understanding'.
Refunds and Ticket Flexibility
Should customers no longer wish to travel tomorrow, full fee-free refunds are available from their point of purchase, the operator has confirmed. Alternatively, tickets dated for tomorrow can be used on Friday or Saturday.
Met Office Amber Warning and Record Heat
At the start of the week, the Met Office issued a rare amber warning, with temperatures possibly peaking at 38°C. The warning runs from 9am to 11.59pm tomorrow, which is when the latest heatwave is expected to peak. Parts of the east, south-east, and the Midlands are expected to be the hottest, but health alerts have been issued across all of England.
Temperatures haven't risen above 36°C in August for six years, with 36.4°C recorded at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in 2020. It comes amid reports that 2026 is looking likely to be the hottest summer on record, while nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought due to the driest July yet.
