Train tracks have caught fire after a spark ignited wooden beams amid high temperatures expected to reach 31C. A fire at a bridge in Battersea, South London, has led to the suspension of services between Victoria and Brixton. Elsewhere Network Rail is warning that trains may need to run more slowly due to high track temperatures. Among the services already affected by the high temperatures are West Midlands train routes between Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Kidderminster, where speeds have been reduced to 20mph from the normal 60mph. Speed limits are expected to remain in place until 8pm tonight. Network Rail is understood to be monitoring a number of sites and may impose further speed restrictions to reduce the risk of lines buckling under added stress in the heat. It is understood the problems at Battersea began when the timbers of the wheels on the bridge caught fire – with Network Rail saying the girders were “very dry” amid a lack of rain and “although we don’t know for sure, it is likely set off a stray spark alight’. The Met Office has warned people to watch out for cigarette butts and barbecues, amid fears the ‘dry’ earth could easily burn and lead to wildfires. It is believed the fire may have been started by a spark which ignited the ‘very dry’ beams (Image: Network Rail) Network Rail is monitoring the railways and has imposed some speed restrictions in light of the weather (Image: Network Rail) Firefighters were called to the Queen’s Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire yesterday after a bushfire. Rangers praised fire crews for putting out the blaze, which was started by an abandoned campfire, but were quick to criticize “irresponsible campers”. A spokesman for the estate posted on Twitter: “Many thanks to @fire_scot crews for tackling this bushfire yesterday which was started by a derelict camp fire. “Due to their quick response, the fire did not affect a nearby osprey nest.” Forecasters have predicted high temperatures of 33°C in some areas this afternoon, with central, southern and eastern England all experiencing the hottest temperatures of the heatwave. Big thanks to the @fire_scot crews for putting out this bushfire yesterday which was started by a derelict camp fire. Because of their quick response, the fire did not affect a nearby osprey nest. pic.twitter.com/h8dJYiVqAc — Balmoral Castle & Estate (@Balmoral_Castle) July 10, 2022 The hottest day of 2022 so far was June 17, when 32.7°C was recorded at Heathrow. This record is expected to be broken today or in the next few days. Weather forecast models suggest it is possible – though not likely – that temperatures will reach 40C in the UK next weekend, which would break the current British record temperature of 38.7C set in Cambridge in July of 2019. But a spokeswoman for the Met Office said it takes computer modeling into account when making its forecasts and believes the hottest weather will not reach 40C.
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Experts have warned that the UK must urgently adapt to a future with more heatwaves, adding that heatwaves have a greater potential impact than other climate extremes such as flooding. By midday today, temperatures had already reached 30C in Cambridge and London, with many taking to social media to complain about the heat. It comes after a tropical night where temperatures were still in the low 20s at midnight in London. Contact our news team by emailing us at [email protected] For more stories like this, check out our news page.
