Passengers are encountering significant disturbances at one of the UK’s busiest train stations due to reports of smoke on the tracks during extreme weather conditions.
South Western Railway (SWR) has indicated that certain services from London Waterloo are running at reduced speeds while a safety check is being conducted. The railway operator informed passengers about the presence of smoke on the track section between the station and Vauxhall.
Travelers were advised of potential delays on routes to and from London Waterloo, including destinations like Guildford, Woking, Chessington South, Dorking, Hampton Court, Shepperton, and Strawberry Hill. SWR did not confirm whether the incident was linked to the prevailing high temperatures.
On Monday, temperatures remained above 21.3C at Kenley Airfield in south London, marking the hottest May day in UK history according to the Met Office. Additionally, a new record for the hottest spring temperature was set when Kew Gardens in south-west London reached 34.8C.
The Met Office identified 12 locations across the UK where temperature records were broken on Monday, with 97 monitoring sites hitting or surpassing 30C. Although all lines have resumed normal operations between Waterloo and Vauxhall, some disruptions are anticipated until 11 am.
In a statement, SWR confirmed the reopening of all tracks between London Waterloo and Vauxhall but cautioned passengers to expect delays or schedule changes until 11:00 on May 26. The operator also mentioned that suburban services to Guildford, Woking, Chessington South, Dorking, Hampton Court, Shepperton, and Strawberry Hill might experience residual delays.
Passengers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys while services are being restored to their usual schedules. Live journey planners should be monitored for the latest updates, as some services may still be recovering. SWR apologizes for any inconvenience caused and recommends seeking assistance from staff or using station help points if needed.
