ESCALATING temperatures set to hit the country this week is likely to affect rail travel tomorrow July 18, and July 19.

Network Rail has urged people to avoid travelling on those days if possible as it is likely that speed restrictions will lead to service reductions, cancellations, or delays.

Speed restrictions will affect mainline services at Salisbury and the long-distance services to Exeter, Bournemouth, Weymouth, Southampton, and Portsmouth.

Christian Neill, SWR’s customer experience director said: “These unprecedented temperatures will pose a significant challenge to the national railway infrastructure and we’re sorry for the impact they will have on our services on Monday and Tuesday.  

“Network Rail is urging customers to only travel if absolutely necessary and anyone who has to travel should expect longer journey times, short-notice cancellations and disruption.”

If travel is unavoidable, changes to the service may be published at short notice and the advice is to check the journey updates before setting off.

As it is likely that some delays or cancellations may occur, Network Rail is urging people to carry water with them.

To support passengers with tickets for travel on Monday or Tuesday, SWR has confirmed that they can still use the tickets and travel on Wednesday and Thursday instead.

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