Northern Rail. Photo: M Barratt / Shutterstock.com Northern (Northern Trains Limited) has announced a reduced timetable and temporary speed restrictions across parts of its network as high temperatures are expected to affect rail operations this week.
The announcement comes after Transport for London (TfL) issued a travel warning for Tuesday, June 23, through Thursday, June 25, 2026, amid the very high temperatures expected to disrupt parts of the capital’s transport network, with delays and service changes already affecting multiple Tube and rail lines.
Northern said the measures will be in place from Tuesday, June 23, through Thursday, June 25, as the UK experiences a period of unusually hot weather. Rail infrastructure can become more vulnerable during extreme heat, prompting operators to slow trains and adjust schedules to maintain safety and reliability.
A number of routes across northern England will be affected, including services between Leeds and Ilkley, Leeds and York via Harrogate, Leeds and Sheffield via Moorthorpe, and several routes serving Manchester, Liverpool, Blackburn, Southport and Manchester Airport.
Temporary speed restrictions will apply on affected sections of track, which may lead to longer journey times and service alterations throughout the day.
Northern is advising passengers to allow extra time for travel and check service updates before setting off. The operator has also encouraged customers to carry water and stay hydrated while travelling, with station staff available to assist where needed.
To provide additional flexibility, passengers holding Northern tickets dated June 23, 24 or 25 will be permitted to travel on any earlier Northern service on the same day. Tickets for those dates will also be accepted on Northern services operating on June 26.
The changes come as rail operators across the UK implement heat-related measures to protect infrastructure. High temperatures can cause rails to expand, increasing the risk of track defects and prompting temporary speed limits during heatwaves.
Northern said the reduced timetable is intended to help keep services running as reliably as possible while weather conditions remain challenging.
Passengers are being urged to monitor the latest travel information before their journey, as conditions and service plans may change depending on temperatures across the network.