Passengers face rail delays

Why it's too hot for trains

In detail

Rail passengers across Wales have endured a second day of rail disruption as soaring temperatures continue across the UK.

Passengers' misery was worsened in south Wales when an overhead pylon was touched by a crane working near the main London-bound line in Cardiff.

The accident, which happened near the Rhymney River Bridge at 1145 BST on Wednesday, temporarily closed the line in both directions.

South Wales Police said the crane hit the lines as it was delivering a portable building to a construction site off New Road.

The crane touched the electric cable and the operator was thrown from the cabin.

He suffered burns and was taken by ambulance to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff.

Several houses were evacuated as a precaution and the Health and Safety Executive was informed.

Trains cancelled

Before the trackside accident, many services on the main south Wales to London line had already been cancelled due to hot weather, with others subject to speed restrictions.

And services between north Wales and London were also severely disrupted.

Train operators feared that high temperatures - which had been predicted to reach up to 35C in some parts of south-east England - could buckle tracks.

In south Wales, train operator First Great Western imposed a 90mph speed limit on services from midday.

In south Wales, train operator First Great Western said passengers travelling to and from London faced delays as a 90mph speed limit would be imposed from midday.

The company said passengers faced a delay of at least 25 minutes.

Other amendments to the timetable include:

• Services from Cardiff to London Paddington at 55 minutes past each hour were cancelled from 1255 BST.

• Services from London Paddington to Cardiff at 30 minutes past each hour were cancelled, from 1030 BST.

• The 1400 BST London Paddington to Swansea service terminated at Cardiff.

• All journey times were extended by 25 minutes.

Heat wave

In north Wales, Virgin West Coast trains did not run directly between Holyhead and London Euston.

Services terminated at Crewe in both directions.

The rail delays have been caused by a heat wave across the UK, which was expected to reach its peak on Wednesday.

Forecasters had predicted temperatures approaching the record 37.1C recorded in Cheltenham in 1990.

Although Wales did not experience the highest temperatures, rail firms are imposed speed limits on the tracks as the heat began to build towards midday.

'Overloaded service'

Paul Harley, chair of the Rail Passengers' Committee Wales, said rail users in Wales were having to endure a service inferior to many other European countries.

"I'm extremely disappointed and all passengers using the trains this week must be extremely frustrated," he said.

"Because of delays and cancellations, we are getting an overloaded service.

"A lot of people aboard one train equals intolerable conditions, particularly in this heat.

"If we look at Europe and the UK, the range of temperatures is the same.

"In this country, we don't seem to get it right."

Visitors to the National Eisteddfod, in Meifod, mid Wales, were also told to protect themselves from the sun.

Ambulance staff and volunteers have already dealt with more than 70 cases of sunburn and fainting.

For further information on train services, contact National Rail Inquiries on 08457 484950.