Train passengers in Wolverhampton are facing a day of disruption as soaring temperatures affect services across the West Midlands Railway network. The operator, alongside London Northwestern Railway, has warned of delays and alterations to its timetable on Thursday 9 July 2026, with the Met Office forecasting highs above 30°C across central and southern England and Wales.
National Rail reports that the extreme heat can cause overhead power lines to expand and sag, increase the risk of line-side fires, and lead to rails buckling. As a result, buses will replace trains between Bletchley and Bedford from around 12:45 until the end of service today. Passengers are urged to check their entire journey before setting off.
Earlier in the day, a separate trespass incident between Birmingham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End added to the disruption, with trains cancelled or delayed by up to half an hour until 09:00. The knock-on effects hit routes between Kidderminster, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Stourbridge Junction, all of which connect through Wolverhampton’s busy interchange. Network Rail explains that all trains must be stopped while the line is checked for safety after such an event.
The heatwave warning comes ahead of planned industrial action that will affect the same operators on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 July. Passengers who are delayed today can apply for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme by keeping their ticket and noting their journey.
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