Passengers are currently experiencing significant disruptions at a major railway hub in the UK due to reports of smoke on the tracks during exceptionally high temperatures. South Western Railway (SWR) announced that certain services at London Waterloo were operating at reduced speeds to allow for a safety inspection. The presence of smoke on the tracks between the station and Vauxhall prompted cautionary measures.
Travelers were alerted to potential delays affecting routes to and from London Waterloo, including Guildford, Woking, Chessington South, Dorking, Hampton Court, Shepperton, and Strawberry Hill. Although SWR did not confirm a direct link to the hot weather conditions, temperatures remained above 21.3C at Kenley Airfield in south London on Monday.
The UK experienced its hottest May day on record, with temperatures soaring to 34.8C at Kew Gardens in south-west London. The Met Office identified 12 locations where previous temperature records were surpassed, with 97 monitoring sites reaching or exceeding 30C.
While all railway lines between Waterloo and Vauxhall have reopened, some delays are expected until 11 am. SWR assured that services might be delayed or revised during this period. Suburban services to and from various destinations are advised to anticipate residual delays until operations normalize.
Passengers are encouraged to allocate additional time for their journeys as services resume their usual schedules. Live journey planners should be monitored for updates, as some services may still be in the recovery phase. SWR apologizes for any inconvenience caused and urges passengers to seek assistance from staff or use station help points if needed.
