RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was forced to divert traffic to other airfields due to safety concerns, a spokesman said. A source told Sky News the decision was made on Monday morning because the tarmac on the runway had melted in the heat. In a statement the RAF confirmed that the flights were diverted as they could not safely take off from Brize Norton. The Air Force said the diversions had not interfered with military operations. “During this period of extreme temperatures, flight safety remains the RAF’s top priority, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long-standing plan. This means there is no impact on RAF operations,” the statement said. The Brize Norton region of Britain is on red alert for extreme heat on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures on Monday expected to top 35C. Brize Norton is Britain’s largest air base (Getty) The runway at the base normally operates around the clock and is Britain’s main gateway for defense airlift. Flights were also suspended at Luton Airport due to the melting runway, with planes diverted to nearby Stansted. A statement posted on Luton’s Twitter account read: “Following today’s high temperatures, a surface defect has been identified on the runway. “Engineers were immediately called to the site and repair work is underway to resume work as soon as possible.” The highest temperature on record in the UK is expected to be broken twice in the next two days and the Met Office has declared the country’s first national heat emergency. Passengers suffer from extreme heat on the London Underground on Monday (PA) Authorities have warned people against unnecessary travel during the extreme heat, prompting millions more people to work from home. Network Rail said the number of passengers using major stations across Britain on Monday was around 20% down on the previous week. Location technology company TomTom said road congestion at 9am. was lower in most UK cities than at the same time last week. In London, congestion levels fell from 53 percent on July 11 to 42 percent on Monday. In Birmingham they fell from 46 per cent to 43 per cent, in Manchester they fell from 45 per cent to 37 per cent and in Glasgow they fell from 17 per cent to 12 per cent. London’s Victoria station was relatively empty during the morning rush hour on Monday (AFP/Getty) Figures reflect the percentage of additional time required for travel compared to free-flow conditions. Transport for London, which advised people to “only travel if necessary”, said around 1.06 million entries and exits were made by London Underground passengers by 10am on Monday. This is down 18 percent compared to the same period last Monday. About 1.07 million bus trips were made by 10 a.m., a 10 percent week-on-week decline.
