Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of the recent heatwave on the punctuality of trains across the national rail network; and what steps she has taken to ensure passengers receive timely delay compensation.

Network Rail uses a combination of proactive monitoring and investment in smart technologies to protect critical infrastructure and keep the railway running during periods of hot weather.

For safety reasons, during periods of extreme weather, trains operate at reduced speeds and to amended timetables, meaning journeys will take longer and be at risk of potential delays, cancellations, and last-minute alterations. Departmental officials, Network Rail and the wider rail industry worked together to assess and manage the impacts of the extreme heat and, as a result of the rail industry’s preparedness, approximately 82 per cent of planned services ran between 24-26 June.

Passengers who hold a valid ticket and are delayed because of disruption are entitled to claim Delay Repay from their train operator up to 28 days after their journey. Train operators are responsible for ensuring that information on disruption and compensation is communicated clearly and in a timely manner.