Shropshire heatwave: Second train operator cancels services through county

It includes services from Shrewsbury and Hereford to Birmingham New Street on Monday and Tuesday.

On Sunday afternoon West Midlands Trains was advising customers to check on its website about rail replacement buses, although none were available at the time.

No Transport for Wales trains will run between Shrewsbury and Birmingham when the region is gripped by the country's first ever red heat warning.

The train operator has said it won't be operating along the route via Telford on Monday and Tuesday, and is urging passengers to only make essential journeys in the extreme weather as it warns other services throughout Wales and the Borders could be disrupted.

The UK Government has declared a national emergency following the Met Office updating its weather warnings to red – meaning a danger to life – for large parts of England, including the West Midlands and North West. Wales continues to be covered by an amber warning from Sunday, with temperatures expected to reach the high thirties in some parts of the country.

In light of these forecasts, TfW is now advising customers not to travel in the areas covered by the red weather warning, and to only make essential journeys in areas covered by the amber warning.

Services on routes within the areas covered by the red weather warning will be cancelled. The routes affected by these cancellations include Shrewsbury to Birmingham and Chester to Liverpool, Manchester and Crewe.

Temporary speed restrictions are likely to be in place across the rail network to reduce the risk posed by overheating rails. This will likely increase journey times and lead to short-notice alterations to services. Extreme temperatures could also lead to other infrastructure and fleet challenges such as track faults and overheating engines.

Colin Lea, TfW’s Planning and Performance Director, said: “The extreme weather that we are set to see on 18 and 19 July is likely to pose a risk of serious illness or danger to life, particularly in the West Midlands and North West England where temperatures will be at their highest.

“We strongly advise customers to carefully consider whether their journey is necessary, check before travelling in case of changes to services, and allow more time for any journeys they need to make.”

Tickets dated for travel for Monday, July 18, and Tuesday, July 19, will be valid for travel on between Wednesday, July 20, and Friday, July 22.

Tickets can be used at any time but customers are encouraged to travel as close to their original booked time as possible to help spread loadings.

Customers who choose not to travel will be able to claim a refund. Those who travel and are delayed may be entitled Delay Repay compensation, if delayed by 15 minutes or more.