Media centre

Thursday 9 Jul 2026

Passengers urged to plan ahead during hot weather and industrial action

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and check before they travel as high temperatures and industrial action will affect rail journeys over the coming days.

Temperatures are forecast to climb above 30C across the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire this week, increasing the risk of disruption on the railway.

Industrial action by members of the TSSA trade union will affect West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services on Friday 10 July and Saturday 11 July.

A reduced timetable will be in place on both networks on both days, with some routes having no service. On Friday, no West Midlands Railway trains will run after 7pm, with final services departing from around 5pm. On Saturday, services will start later than usual, from around 7am.

Services and stations are expected to be busier than usual where trains are running, including services through Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street and surrounding stations. Queuing systems will be in place where needed.

Throughout the hot weather and during strike action, passengers are being advised to check their journeys before they travel, allow extra time, and carry water while travelling.

Martin Colmey, Network Rail's Central route director, said: “With high temperatures forecast across the region, passengers should plan ahead, check before they travel, and carry water with them while travelling.

“Hot weather can put extra strain on railway infrastructure, so while our teams will be working hard to keep trains moving safely, there is a higher risk of disruption, delays or last-minute changes.

“Industrial action will also affect some services on Friday and Saturday, with reduced timetables and busier stations on parts of the network. Please check the latest travel information before setting off, allow extra time for your journey, and be prepared for services to be busier than usual.”

London Northwestern Railway passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line via Northampton this Sunday should also plan ahead while Network Rail carries out planned vegetation management work between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby until 7pm. No trains will run between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby via Northampton during the work, with rail replacement buses in operation.

Passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk or their train operator’s website before travelling for the latest information.