Britain’s railway prepares for more extreme weather as intense El Niño develops
Britain's railway network is struggling to adapt to extreme weather conditions exacerbated by climate change and El Niño. Experts emphasize the need for updated design standards and increased infrastructure investment to prevent future service disruptions.
Why it matters
Climate-resilient infrastructure is becoming a critical priority for national transportation systems facing record-breaking heat and weather patterns.
Network Rail said this summer’s extreme heat ‘presented exceptional challenges’. Network Rail said this summer’s extreme heat ‘presented exceptional challenges’. Climate crisis Britain’s railway prepares for more extreme weather as intense El Niño develops Experts say more must be done to adapt to changing climate, after two trains derailed within 24 hours during a recent heatwave
Prefer the Guardian on Google Railway companies are racing to prepare for another brutal summer next year, as a developing El Niño could see 2027 break more heat-related records.
Britain’s railway system has already been under stress from extreme heat this summer, with several operators reducing timetables and train speeds.
Two trains derailed within 24 hours during the UK’s fifth heatwave in August, in what Network Rail said had “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in