Summer heat drives record rail cancellations, CrossCountry leads with 8% rate

The Office of Rail and Road reports that planned train services cancelled between April and June jumped to 102,667, or 4.1% of scheduled journeys, up from more than 80,000 (3.2%) in the prior three months. Officials attribute the surge to record-breaking heatwaves that strained tracks and overhead power lines, leading to two derailments in August at Lewes and Wickford. Network Rail’s group director Anit Chandarana called the summer exceptionally challenging and highlighted a £2.6 bn investment to boost climate resilience.

Among operators, CrossCountry posted the highest cancellation rate at 8%, twice the national average, with Avanti West Coast close behind at 7.1%; nine other firms also exceeded the average. Both companies cited infrastructure failures, crew shortages and external incidents as key contributors. The Department for Transport noted the annual cancellation rate remains stable at 3.9% but stressed ongoing investment to improve reliability and the move toward public ownership under Great British Railways.