Chaos for Milton Keynes commuters with most trains severely delayed or cancelled

    Milton Keynes commuters returning home this evening are experiencing major disruption on the railway due to the hot weather.

    London Northwestern Railway has advised passengers not to travel this evening, with overhead wire problems also adding to heat related issues.

    The majority of trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central are currently showing as delayed or cancelled.

    Overhead wire problems are currently affecting services between London and Watford, between Preston and Carlisle and in the Birmingham area are causing major disruption to journeys on the West Coast Main Line and via Birmingham.

    In addition, record-breaking temperatures of up to 38°C mean the heat at the side of the railway track will be in excess of 50°C and Network Rail has imposed blanket speed restrictions on parts of the network in an attempt to prevent rails from buckling, affecting some services.

    One such restriction has been imposed south of Rugby, meaning a necessary reduction in services to London Euston. The knock-on impact, including displacement of train crew, will also affect other routes 

    Between 11am and 8pm, one service per hour will run from Northampton to London Euston instead of the usual three. This means two trains per hour usually bound for Euston will instead terminate at Northampton

    As a consequence, some services to Rugeley Trent Valley and Liverpool Lime Street will start their journeys at Northampton, rather than London Euston, between 12noon and 8pm

    A significantly reduced service will run in the evening peak to destinations including Watford, Milton Keynes and Tring. Some inbound trains from Tring to London Euston will also be cancelled in the peak period

    Passengers are advised to check their journeys before travelling by visiting National Rail Enquiries and should consider travelling outside the evening peak period if possible, as services will be busy.

    Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said: “Extreme heat causes issues on the track and we are taking sensible precautions with our services to and from London Euston in order to keep the railway moving. Passengers should check their journeys before travelling.

    “It is crucial that passengers remain hydrated and we advise our customers to carry water with them if possible. If passengers feel ill on board a train they should not attempt to stop it, but instead seek help at the next station.”

    Trains are not able to call at Harrow & Wealdstone, Bushey and Wembley Central this evening.

    Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.

    Sponsored Stories

     

    Local News

    Weather

    • Thu

      9°C

    • Fri

      12°C

    • Sat

      13°C

    • Sun

      13°C

    • Mon

      11°C