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Kit PetersHEATWAVE: ‘Only travel if absolutely necessary’ — rail warning for south Wales as red heat hits
Rail passengers in south Wales are being urged to travel only if absolutely necessary on Wednesday and Thursday as the extreme heat hits the network.
Transport for Wales and Network Rail issued a joint warning ahead of a Met Office red extreme heat warning, which runs from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday.
They said anyone travelling into, through or out of the red warning area should make only essential journeys, with everyone else advised to check before they travel.
With temperatures forecast to reach 38C, the heat is expected to cause significant disruption to trains.
Extreme heat can affect tracks, overhead power lines and the trains themselves, meaning services may be delayed, cancelled at short notice, or slowed by speed restrictions.
Passengers are advised to check their journey before setting off, allow extra time, and carry plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Anyone who feels unwell is asked to seek help from station or onboard staff.
Services to coastal destinations are expected to be very busy as people head for the sea in the heat.
Queuing systems will also be in place at key stations because of The Cure’s concert at Blackweir Fields in Cardiff on Wednesday.
Passengers who no longer wish to travel on Wednesday or Thursday can use their ticket on Friday instead.
Those who choose not to travel can claim a full refund from the point of purchase, as long as the claim is made before 11.59pm the day before the ticket’s date.
Tickets dated Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday can also be used on earlier services the same day, or on Monday or Friday.
Great Western Railway, which runs services between south Wales and London, is also warning of essential travel only and running an amended timetable.
The operator said fewer trains would run and journeys would take slightly longer during the warmest parts of each day, with possible short-notice changes to its older regional fleet.
GWR and Network Rail performance director Daryn McCombe said customer safety had to come first.
“We know this is disruptive and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it will cause, but customer safety must come first,” he said.
He urged anyone planning to travel on Wednesday and Thursday to go earlier in the week or later, allow extra time, and bring water.
GWR customers who do not travel can claim a full refund or amend their ticket, and those delayed by 15 minutes or more may be entitled to compensation.
The disruption comes amid the same red warning that has forced hundreds of schools across the region to close and prompted a plea to check on older neighbours.
The heat is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday before easing towards the weekend.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
School closures across Swansea Bay as red heat warning hits
The full list of schools shut or moving online on Wednesday and Thursday.
‘Check on older neighbours — it could save a life’
Age Cymru and the Welsh Government’s plea as the red warning peaks.
The same warning during the 2022 heatwave
When rail passengers were last told to travel only if necessary in extreme heat.
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