South Western Railway customers are facing four days of disruption and delays after a UK-wide heatwave caused speed restrictions.
Soaring temperatures of up to 30C in parts of the country have caused rail tracks to expand meaning emergency speed restrictions have come into force.
On Tuesday one of the busiest rail operators, South Western Railway, said passengers travelling in and out of London transport hub Waterloo would be delayed by the restrictions.
The emergency speed limits, which will make journey times up to ten minutes longer, will begin on Tuesday at 11am and remain in place until Friday.
On Tuesday morning, rush hour commuters also faced delays on the Transport for London network as disruption hit the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and London Overground lines.
“With exceptionally warm weather this week and rail temperatures expected to reach 47 degrees Celsius in many locations, Network Rail has advised that emergency speed restrictions are required,” a statement on the rail firm's website said.
“The primary location of these speed restrictions is between London Waterloo and New Malden on lines heading away from London Waterloo, resulting in service alterations and cancellations.”
“These will cause all trains heading away from London Waterloo to lose up to 10 minutes before reaching New Malden station. As trains will take longer to pass through these sections, trains may be held at signals for longer.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to your journey.
Some train routes have been altered and customers are advised to check the website before travelling.
The fresh disruption comes after passengers suffered travel misery on Monday due to a series of incidents including track circuit and level crossing failures.
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Incidents included a person being struck by a train between Basingstoke and Eastleigh, track circuit failures at Fratton, Haslemere, Milford, Winchfield, Netley and Hook, and level crossing failures in a number of areas.
