UK rail faces disruption as summer heat buckles tracks

UK rail services are increasingly disrupted during heatwaves, as high temperatures cause steel tracks to expand and buckle under pressure. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

When temperatures exceed 30°C, track surfaces can reach over 50°C due to direct sunlight. This excessive heat causes steel to expand and bend, leading to dangerous distortions across the UK rail network.

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UK rail services cut as tracks buckle in record heat

To prevent derailments, engineers impose speed restrictions where sensors detect abnormal rail expansion. Slower trains apply less stress, helping reduce the risk of buckling in vulnerable sections.

But speed limits don’t always stop the damage. Once a track bends, operators must shut down entire lines for urgent repairs, leading to cancelled services and serious delays.

UK rail infrastructure was not originally designed for such extreme heat, unlike rail systems in hotter regions. That makes Britain especially vulnerable during modern summer heatwaves.

Climate change forces UK rail to adapt to new heat risks

The Met Office recently confirmed that 40°C days in Britain are now 20 times more likely than in the 1960s. And experts predict these extremes will keep increasing as the climate warms.

Dr. Gillian Kay of the Met Office warned that temperatures could rise beyond July 2022’s record highs. She emphasized that Britain must prepare for even more severe heat in the coming years.

The UK rail network, already under strain from age and congestion, now faces the added challenge of adapting to climate-driven heat stress. Without further upgrades, delays and cancellations will continue to rise.

Source, photo: www.ndtv.com

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