UK weather: Soaring temperatures cause travel chaos over fears railway lines will buckle

The highest recorded temperature was 33.5 degrees in Oxfordshire, with more warm weather and thunderstorms to come

Tube commuters in London suffered even more than usual in the heat (Rex)

British commuters faced travel disruption as temperatures soared to over 30 degrees Celcius with train operators fearing railway tracks could buckle.

The highest recorded temperature was 33.5 degrees in Oxfordshire.

Network Rail imposed speed restrictions on a number of routes on the basis tracks could buckle if temperatures exceeded 32 degrees.

Great Western trains were affected to and from London Paddington, with track temperatures reaching almost 50C (122F).

A number of Southeastern lines suffered from the temporary speed limits, including those between Lewisham and Blackheath, south-east London, Whitstable and Faversham, Kent and Hastings and Crowhurst, East Sussex.

Restrictions were also implemented on the route between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly.

Network Rail said rails can reach up to 20C higher than air conditions in direct sunlight on warm days.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Our modern rails are far more resistant to heat expansion and buckling than they used to be.

"However, a day this hot affects even our track, so we need to restrict speeds for safety."

Overnight, the weather remains warm and humid across the UK with some very heavy showers and thunderstorms expected over western and northern areas.

Sunbathers enjoy the hot weather in St James' Park in central London (PA)

Most southern and eastern areas are forecasted to remain dry overnight, according to the Met Office.

Wednesday will be another warm day although thunderstorms will continue to affect parts of Scotland, northern England and northern Wales.

For the rest of the week, it will become fresher and cooler but remain warm in most areas.