Rail services face timetable changes due to hot weather
Speed restrictions and amended schedules will affect c2c and Greater Anglia lines from late August.
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Rail passengers travelling between London and Essex face amended timetables and longer journeys as record-breaking summer heat causes clay beneath railway tracks to dry out and shrink. Network Rail is introducing speed restrictions and temporary timetable changes on c2c and some Greater Anglia services to maintain safety and reduce the risk of unexpected disruptions.
Service Adjustments and Journey Times
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Amended timetables will affect c2c services from Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Subsequently, the Greater Anglia line between Southend Victoria and London will see timetable changes introduced from Tuesday, September 1, 2026. These adjustments mean some journeys will take between two and eight minutes longer than usual, with slightly altered departure and arrival times. Passengers are advised to check their specific journey details in advance via the relevant operator websites.
While speed restrictions are not currently impacting Elizabeth line services, Transport for London advises passengers to check the TfL Go app or tfl.gov.uk for the latest travel information. Engineers are monitoring track conditions across the region, and further speed restrictions may be introduced in the coming weeks to ensure smooth operations. Passengers will be notified in advance of any additional service changes, and the speed restrictions will remain until ground conditions improve.
Network Rail's Investment in Weather Resilience
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Network Rail is undertaking a £2.6 billion investment programme to fortify the railway against extreme weather and climate change. This initiative includes improvements to drainage, earthworks, track, and overhead power systems, alongside the use of monitoring and predictive technologies. Additional engineering work is being carried out in the Anglia region this summer to mitigate the effects of dried-out soil. Specialist machines called tampers are being used to compact the stones beneath the tracks, creating a more stable foundation. New ballast, the stones supporting the rails and sleepers, is also being laid to help stabilise and elevate track sections. Network Rail expects to use 49,000 tonnes of ballast across the Anglia region during 2026.
We’re taking action to keep everyone moving safely and reliably while minimising the impact on passengers. Our teams are working together across Anglia to keep running the best possible service despite the significant challenges we’re facing because of this exceptionally hot and dry weather. We never want our customers to experience disruption, but safety will always be our priority.
Martin Beable, Chief Operating Officer for GBR Anglia
GBR Anglia, which brings together c2c, Greater Anglia, and Network Rail Anglia, is planning and delivering services as a unified entity. This approach aims to enable faster and more joined-up decision-making. The speed restrictions are expected to remain in place until ground conditions recover, though there is currently no set timeframe for when normal timetables will be fully reintroduced.
What happens next
Passengers are advised to check their journey details before travelling. Network Rail and GBR Anglia are working to reintroduce normal timetables as soon as possible, with updates to be provided to passengers.
Questions this report answers
+When will the timetable changes start?
Timetable changes for c2c services begin on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. For Greater Anglia services between Southend Victoria and London, the changes will be introduced from Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
+Why are the timetable changes happening?
Record-breaking heat has caused the clay beneath long stretches of railway track in Essex to dry out and shrink, affecting track quality. Speed restrictions and amended timetables are being implemented to ensure safety and reliability.
+How much longer will journeys take?
Some journeys may take between two and eight minutes longer than usual due to the speed restrictions and altered departure and arrival times. Passengers are advised to check their specific journey details before travelling.
+What is Network Rail doing to prevent future disruption?
Network Rail is investing £2.6 billion in track maintenance and renewals to make the railway more resilient to extreme weather. This includes improvements to drainage, earthworks, and track stabilisation, with 49,000 tonnes of ballast planned for use in the Anglia region in 2026.
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