C2C train in Britain. Photo: C2C Rail passengers in East London and Essex are facing significant disruption to rail services today (Friday, August 21, 2026), following damage to the rail infrastructure as a result of the prolonged dry spell in Britain.
According to an update from National Rail, the UK's national railway company, the ground on which the C2C railway tracks are laid has lost moisture, dried out and shrunk. The process has caused ground movements and subsidence in several locations, resulting in the need for speed restrictions to keep passengers safe.
The impact on timetables is being felt most strongly along C2C's lines connecting areas of East London and Essex. The company has already canceled a long list of trains to and from London Fenchurch Street station, alongside route shortening and other service changes.
For passengers, this means longer journey times, delays and congestion at stations. National Rail advises passengers to avoid traveling during rush hour as much as possible and to check train conditions before setting off.
Unlike a single-track fault, there is currently no set date for the restrictions to be lifted. The speed reduction guidelines remain in effect until further notice, while infrastructure teams continue to monitor the condition of the tracks and make inspections and adjustments.
The phenomenon is related to the properties of clay soil: after a long period without rain, it shrinks and loses its volume. When the soil is under a railway infrastructure, such a change may create unevenness and cause the track to sink.