LNER warns commuters to only travel when necessary following red weather warning

LNER has warned commuters to only travel if necessary following a red weather warning.

The UK’s first red extreme heat warning has been issued across a large part of England from London to Manchester and York on Monday and Tuesday, while an amber warning initially covers all of England on Sunday and extends to southern Scotland and Wales from Monday until Tuesday. Due to the extreme weather, train operator LNER has warned commuters to only travel if necessary on Monday.

While on Tuesday commuters are warned to NOT travel on routes south of York and south of Leeds to London King’s Cross as no trains will run, this includes to or from Wakefield Westgate, Doncaster, Retford, Lincoln, Newark Northgate, Grantham, Peterborough and Stevenage.

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The train operator said there will be limited trains to other destinations and it’s highly likely that they will be subject to significant delays because speed restrictions will be in place. If your train has been cancelled, all tickets dated for travel on July 18 and 19 July are valid for travel on July 20 and 21. If you’re no longer travelling, LNER has said you’ll be entitled to a full refund or you can change your ticket to another date.

For those who are travelling, it is advised that you bring water and wait in cool areas or in the shade when you’re at the station. LNER stations also have water refill points available.

The new Health Secretary has said extra measures are being put in place for ambulance services as an extreme heat warning comes into force. Steve Barclay said additional contingency support, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, are being put in place on Monday and Tuesday.

Meteorologists have given an 80% chance of the mercury topping the UK’s record temperature of 38.7C, set in Cambridge in 2019 – with the current heatwave set to peak on Tuesday. Scorching temperatures are predicted for Monday, with Peterborough expected to hit 37C and Milton Keynes, Norwich and Lincoln thought to hit 36C – while temperatures could hit 40C in London on Tuesday.

The UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health warning from level three to level four, which is described as a “national emergency”.

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