Persistent drought in England amid the climate crisis has caused soil shrinkage that is disrupting rail services and prompting speed restrictions and timetable changes starting August 2026.
Heatwave Triggers Network Rail Safety Measures
Network Rail began imposing late-night speed restrictions and altered timetables across multiple routes on 3 August 2026, with these measures expected to remain in place “until the ground conditions have recovered,” according to the rail infrastructure operator. South Western Railway (SWR) announced further timetable changes from Monday 10 August 2026 affecting the West of England line, notably reducing services to one train every two hours between Yeovil and Exeter St Davids.
Passengers on
journeys between London Waterloo and Exeter should anticipate travel times extending by up to 27 minutes under the amended timetable. Other affected routes include Great Northern services in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, Greater Anglia and c2c lines in Essex, as well as the eastern segment of the Elizabeth Line between Gidea Park and Shenfield, where service reductions will occur from early August on specific late evening trains.
Dry Soil Conditions Undermine Track Stability
Dry spring rainfall followed by a hot summer in 2026 have caused a significant soil moisture deficit, particularly impacting clay soil embankments supporting railway tracks. The clay soil has shrunk due to the loss
of moisture, destabilizing the track foundation. This shrinkage results in sleepers—wooden or concrete supports beneath rails—dropping or shifting out of their correct positions, forcing trains to reduce speed for safety.
The West of England line operated by South Western Railway has been identified as especially vulnerable to these conditions. Similar disruptions and interventions were necessary on this route during the previous year’s comparable drought, indicating a recurring susceptibility linked to sustained dry conditions exacerbated by climate patterns.
Track Maintenance and Infrastructure Intervention
To address the ground instability, Network Rail engineers deploy tamping machines that lift the track and re-distribute stone ballast beneath to restore proper
alignment and a stable foundation. This process helps maintain smooth and safe running conditions for trains despite the effects of soil shrinkage.
In 2025, approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) of track on Anglia routes underwent tamping treatments. Ahead of and during the 2026 summer heatwave, Network Rail crews have laid thousands of tonnes of ballast across affected lines, with an anticipated total use of 49,000 tonnes throughout the year to bolster track resilience.
Impact on Passengers and Service Adjustments
The necessary reductions in train speeds and service frequencies have extended journey times and limited train availability on certain routes. Specifically, the Yeovil to Exeter St Davids
service now operates every two hours instead of more frequent schedules. London Waterloo to Exeter travelers face delays adding as much as 27 minutes to journey duration.
Great Northern has adjusted timetables from 3 August on lines serving King’s Lynn in Norfolk. Greater Anglia is introducing alterations to evening services in Essex, including rail replacement buses. The c2c line will modify some late services to Shoeburyness, and the Elizabeth Line has cut back operations on late evening trains between Gidea Park and Shenfield on selected dates.
Official Comments on Climate Impact and Network Response
Lawrence Bowman, managing director of South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, described the
2026 situation as part of a recurring pattern of weather extremes affecting rail infrastructure. He said, “Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, and this is the second year in a row that prolonged hot, dry weather has affected our network.”
Bowman emphasized that investments and planning since the previous year’s disruptions have reduced the operational impact on customers. “We’ve invested in strengthening the route, carried out extensive work to the track and embankments, and developed a plan that customers can rely on,” he stated. “As a result of that careful planning, we’ve managed to reduce journey times in our
amended timetable by around 30 minutes compared to last year, minimising the impact on our customers while also keeping them safe.”
