Updated: 3:37pm. 25 June 2026
SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) is extending its advice for customers to only travel if essential to Friday 26 June, as Britain’s record-breaking extreme heatwave continues.
In line with national travel advice, SWR now advises customers to only travel if essential on Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June.
Like on Wednesday and Thursday, SWR will operate a reduced service on Friday, with fewer trains running on its network.
Trains that run will likely be busier, and journeys will take longer than usual. Services will also finish earlier in the day than normal, affecting return journeys.
This includes trains and stations on the South Coast, with customers strongly urged to carefully consider the advice to only travel if essential.
Due to the extreme heat, there may be some further short-notice service changes and cancellations.
To help customers complete their journeys, temporary ticket acceptance is in place, allowing travel on alternative days.
Service summaries and more details about ticket acceptance and alternative travel can be found on the SWR website here.
If customers must travel, they should check journey planners and the SWR website for the latest updates, bring a bottle of water and not board a train if they are feeling unwell.
Journey planners for are updated for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Published 9:38am, 23 June 2026
South Western Railway have published this news story today, Tuesday 23 June.
SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) will run an amended timetable on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, as an extreme heatwave is set to hit the UK.
The Met Office has issued a rare Red Extreme Heat Warning for Wednesday and Thursday, covering much of the SWR network.
In line with national travel advice, customers are advised to check before travelling on Tuesday and only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday.
On all three days, fewer trains are set to operate across the SWR network. Trains that run are expected to be busier and journey times will likely be longer than usual, as trains run at reduced speeds.
SWR plans to update journey planners with the amended timetable for Tuesday at 02:00 on Tuesday morning, and Wednesday and Thursday at 02:00 on Wednesday morning.
While the amended timetable is designed to help ensure scheduled trains run as planned, services may still be subject to further short notice changes and cancellations.
To help customers complete their journeys, temporary ticket acceptance is in place to travel at alternative times on the SWR network. Customers connecting with other operators should check their arrangements, as they may differ.
Customers should continue to visit the SWR website for the latest travel advice and ticket information before setting off.
If customers intend to travel, they should remember to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated and plan ahead to help ensure they remain comfortable during their journey.
Any customer who feels unwell should not board a train. If a customer feels unwell on a train, they should alert an SWR colleague and wait until the next appropriate stop to alight.
Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer of South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said:
“While we’ll be working hard to keep customers moving, the Met Office’s Red Extreme Heat Warning means an amended timetable will be in place with fewer trains on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
“In line with national travel advice, customers should check before travelling on Tuesday and only travel if essential on Wednesday and Thursday.
“If you must travel, please also remember take precautions like bringing a water bottle with you and not boarding a train if you are feeling unwell.
“We’re sorry for the disruption this extreme heatwave may cause your journey and thank you for your patience as we respond to these record-breaking conditions.”
High temperatures can have a significant impact on railway tracks, signals and embankments. Further information about how these conditions can affect the railway can be found here.