Rail services in parts of England are cut as tracks are disturbed by lack of moisture
Trains are unable to travel at full speed over embankments in Dorset and Devon that have contracted because of a lack of moisture in the soil.
In the latest example of extreme weather affecting the UK's rail infrastructure, South Western Railway said it had no alternative but to reduce the number of trains running for a safe and reliable service.
Journeys from London Waterloo to Exeter will take an hour longer, with trains running at 40mph instead of 85mph for sections of the route.
This year has seen the second driest spring on record for England, with the least amount of rainfall since 1976. The lack of moisture has caused embankments to shrink on a 12-mile stretch of track between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon.
The speed restrictions on the single-track route means trains cannot pass at the usual times and places, and SWR said it had been forced to cut services from the schedule.
The operator warned that dry conditions were likely to continue and that further speed restrictions could be needed.
SWR's chief operating officer, Stuart Meek, said: 'We are very sorry for the disruption that customers will experience due to this change, as we know just how important the West of England line is to the communities it serves.
'We have not taken this decision lightly … However, to continue operating a safe and reliable service, we have no alternative but to introduce a reduced timetable.
Network Rail's operations director, Tom Desmond, said: 'The safety of our customers is our number one priority, which is why we must impose these speed restrictions. We will regularly review conditions in order to restore the normal timetable as soon as possible.'
Sign up to Business Today
Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning
after newsletter promotion
The changing climate has caused a number of problems for the railway in recent years, including the need to impose speed restrictions in extreme summer heat for fear of buckling rails.
Train services were meanwhile cut back in Kent last year after the wettest winters on record also affected tracks and embankments.
Network Rail is spending almost £3bn over the period 2024-29 to tackle the effects of climate change, having already increased its budget to maintain earthworks in the wake of the Stonehaven disaster, when heavy rain and poor drainage led to a landslip.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Best places in Britain to buy a cottage revealed
With their quirkiness and charm, living in a cottage is a dream for many people, and analysis by a property website has pinpointed locations in Britain where home buyers are most likely to snap one up at a bargain price. North Lanarkshire in Scotland topped Zoopla's affordability list, with a cottage typically priced at £83,500. This is followed by Sunderland in the North East of England where those looking for a cottage could expect to pay an average of £115,000. The 'cottagecore' aesthetic that romanticises rural life and encourages simple living and traditional skills has become a popular trend in recent years. Some cottage buyers may also have inspiration from the cosy, rural home depicted in romantic comedy film The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Zoopla said that 'cottage' was the fourth most-searched for term on its website in 2024. Among those aiming for a lifestyle brimming with bucolic bliss, the analysis reveals where this is translating into market demand for cottages. In the North West of England, Blackburn with Darwen is a hotspot for buyer inquiries, with an average asking price for a cottage at £157,500, Zoopla said. It added that Southampton leads the way in the South East, with a median average asking price of £280,000. Other areas attracting significant attention include East Renfrewshire in Scotland, where a cottage has an average asking price of £100,000, Zoopla said. Neath Port Talbot in Wales appeals to buyers drawn to its beautiful coastal and valley landscapes, with an average price tag of £170,000, the website added. Bradford in West Yorkshire is another hotspot, with an average asking price of £200,000. Buyers are attracted by its rich industrial history, cultural scene and some of the most affordable prices in the region, according to Zoopla. For those looking for choice, Derbyshire Dales has the biggest proportion of cottages for sale, with around a fifth (21.4%) of homes on the market being cottages, the website's analysis found. Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said: 'Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. 'While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country. From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets. 'We're seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities.' Nigel Bishop, founder of buying agency Recoco Property Search, said: 'There has always been a fan base of buyers who appreciate the typically charming designs and quaint surroundings associated with a cottage. 'Many house hunters also express favouring this style of home for size as cottages tend to be smaller than typical country homes and are therefore considered to be more manageable and could reduce running costs. 'Often set in rural locations, buyers need to ensure that the setting works for them long term, as some amenities such as shops and hospitals can be further away which can become inconvenient. 'Demand for cottages remains strong, however, and house hunters should brace for a competitive property search – particularly for cottages with a lower asking price as they tend to attract multiple offers.' Zoopla analysed homes available for sale between January and May 2025, with London generally excluded. Here are the areas in regions and nations of Britain where cottages are typically the least expensive, according to Zoopla. The figures show the median average asking price for a cottage: East Midlands, Amber Valley, £206,000 East of England, Fenland, £249,000 North East, Sunderland, £115,000 North West, Blackburn with Darwen, £157,500 Scotland, North Lanarkshire, £83,500 South East, Southampton, £280,000 South West, Plymouth, £248,500 Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf, £129,500 West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, £238,000 Yorkshire and the Humber, Bradford, £200,000 Here are the areas in regions and nations of Britain where cottages are typically the most expensive, according to Zoopla. The figures show the median average asking price for a cottage: East Midlands, South Northamptonshire and Gedling, £400,000 East of England, Welwyn Hatfield, £662,500 North East, Northumberland, £300,000 North West, Cheshire West and Chester, £375,000 Scotland, East Lothian, £381,000 South East, Slough, £824,500 South West, Gloucester, £531,500 Wales, Monmouthshire, £442,500 West Midlands, North Warwickshire, £615,000 Yorkshire and the Humber, York, £400,000 Here are the areas in each region or nation where cottages are attracting the biggest concentrations of buyer inquiries, according to Zoopla, with the median average asking price of a cottage: Scotland, East Renfrewshire, £100,000 Wales, Neath Port Talbot, £170,000 Yorkshire and the Humber, Bradford, £200,000 South East, Southampton, £280,000 North East, Sunderland, £115,000 West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, £238,000 South West, Plymouth, £248,500 East of England, Hertsmere, £485,000 East Midlands, Leicester, £325,000 North West, Blackburn with Darwen, £157,500
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fans are convinced they know who Jamie Vardy's next club will be after his wife Rebekah's latest social media post
Rebekah Vardy has set the internet ablaze with speculation over her husband Jamie's next club after a playful social media post on Tuesday. The Leicester City legend drew the curtains on his 13-year chapter with the Foxes earlier this summer, after announcing his departure as a free agent. But with less than four weeks remaining before the start of the top-flight season in England, and even less before the resumption of the Football League, the 38-year-old remains without a club. However, fans are now convinced of the striker's next move after his wife Rebekah posted an image of three of their children wearing each of Inter Miami's kits on Instagram. The WAG accompanied the playful post with a 'smiling face with sunglasses' emoji. Rebekah's post has many convinced that the England international is set to join a star-studded roster led by Lionel Messi, that includes his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as his Argentina colleague Rodrigo De Paul. But a source close to the club has poured cold water on the possibility, telling Daily Mail there is 'absolutely no way' Vardy is joining the MLS outfit. 'No one at inter Miami will have heard of him, they just signed Rodrigo de Paul who won the World Cup with Argentina,' they added. 'It was nice of them to buy the kits though.' While Vardy's next club is yet to be determined, the Foxes legend has been spotted enjoying his time away from the field this summer. Last month, he and Rebekah joined by his footballing pals Harry Maguire and James Maddison on a getaway to Portugal. Rebekah took to Instagram on to share a glimpse of her lavish holiday as she posed up a storm in a coral, strapless, two-piece. The couple took the time to enjoy a few weeks at their £9.7million villa in the Algarve. They've been joined by the England striker's former teammates, including Manchester United captain Maguire, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Maddison and also Andy King, who used to play for Wales and is now a coach at the trio's old club. Sharing more holiday pictures, Rebekah showed off her incredible figure last week in a skimpy bikini while larking around on a boat with a pal. She flaunted her toned frame in the swimwear while posing up a storm for a photo posted on social media, with her friend Grant Wheelhouse quick to poke fun at her antics.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
The Independent announces the return of its acclaimed Climate 100 List
Increasingly frequently, the world is suffering from more wild fires, flash floods, droughts, and hurricanes, caused by the human-induced climate crisis. Recent data from Nasa revealed a dramatic rise in the intensity of extreme weather events which are happening more regularly, are lasting for a longer period of time and are more severe, such as the LA fires in January that devastated tens of thousands of homes, recent deadly flooding in Beijing, and long heatwaves in the Nordic countries that even reach the Arctic Circle. Across the US, ' heat streaks ' are on the rise, a phenomenon that's seeing an increase in the number of consecutive hot days across its cities, with life-threatening temperatures. It's becoming a pattern as for the second year running, the planet has reached record temperatures, following 2024 becoming the warmest year on record. Alongside the physical extremes on the environment, the effects of the USA's climate-sceptic administration's rollbacks are already being felt. Cuts to overseas aid, which many conservation areas like Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park rely on, as do vulnerable nations like Malawi who are now struggling to prepare for climate disasters, will have long-lasting and devastating effects. Despite more awareness than ever, the climate crisis is only worsening and it's never felt more urgent to react. The Independent has long been at the forefront of calling for action and change when it comes to the climate, as well as reliably reporting on the severity of the global climate crisis. It's this understanding and commitment to resolving the issues that sees the important return of The Independent' s Climate 100 List. Back for its second year, it will be published again next month, aptly during the United Nations' Summit of the Future in New York, part of the 16th annual Climate Week NYC. The list brings together 100 changemaking and inspiring people to celebrate their contributions in finding positive climate solutions. From around the globe, it includes those who have dedicated their lives to the cause, as well as lesser known newcomers to the movement who need their voices heard and actions seen, across industries as broad as science to activism, food to politics, and business to entertainment, to name a few. We want to continue to celebrate their courage, innovation and much-needed efforts in paving the way for a cleaner and greener future for the next generation. The unveiling of the list will also align with the Climate 100 event held in New York, hosted by The Independent 's Editor-in-Chief, Geordie Greig, bringing together global changemakers, business leaders, scientists, policymakers, and activists. Geordie Grieg, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, says: 'Now in the second year of Climate 100, we are excited to continue honoring leaders who are not just raising the alarm, but driving the solutions our planet urgently needs.' The list is compiled by a team at The Independent, but as we know three out of four of our readers consider themselves to be environmentally friendly, a key part of the list is the Reader's Choice category, which is returning after last year's success. We're once again asking you, the readers, to get involved and submit your unsung climate hero – someone who has made a significant contribution to protecting the environment through their work and deserves to be properly recognised for it. Perhaps it's a colleague, a classmate, a mentor, a peer or even a friend or family member. Submit your nominations for The Independent 's Climate 100 List using the form below – and stay tuned: the full list lands in mid-September.
