THE country is set to be plunged into chaos as bin men complained its “too hot” to collect rubbish and transport links face huge delays.
The scorching 33C heatwave is wreaking havoc on essential services, as the Met Office issued a “danger to life” amber warning.
The unbelievable heat has left train tracks buckling as they bake in the sun, while councils have an army of gritters on stand-by in case roads melt.
Network Rail has warned train journeys will face delays as lines warp in the heat, seeing them introduce speed restrictions.
But the safety measure is set to disrupt travel for Brits across the country as well as hampering freight services.
The travel network explained that when the air temperature reaches 30C, the temperature on steel rails can be up to 20C higher.
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The rails expand when they get hot, which can cause them to buckle – especially carrying the weight of a train on top.
Specialist weather teams will be closely monitoring key hotspot locations this week while the mercury continues to soar.
And drivers are being urged to keep a bottle of water in their cars when heading off for a sunshine-filled staycation.
RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said if the mercury hit as high as 40C – which could come this weekend – motorists should “question their decision to drive in the first place.”
It comes as forecasters predict the mercury could beat the hottest day on record for the UK, beating the existing high of 38.7C in 2019.
Man isn’t proving much stronger than machines in the sunshine – as bin men in some areas are finishing early due to the temperatures.
South Oxfordshire District Council have told residents to leave their rubbish out for two days after their originally scheduled collection if they are not emptied.
The district includes Didcot, Henley, Thame and Wallingford, while locals in South London could also face delays.
Brits were even warned to ration their water usage, hinting a hosepipe ban could be brought in if reservoirs fall too low.
Industry body Water UK told people to turn off taps when brushing their teeth or washing dishes and to resist drenching their gardens.
It comes as:
Yorkshire Water said it pumped 200 million litres more water than usual on Monday, which is equivalent to supplying another city the size of Leeds.
Union bosses have even urged companies to allow staff to work from home as workers are roasting in offices.
And as the temperatures continue to climb, homeless charities have activated a severe weather response to offer emergency shelter to anyone sleeping rough.
A Cobra meeting took place yesterday as Government ministers draw up their first-ever heatwave emergency response, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a level three heat-health alert for the south-east.
A series of blazes also swept across the Army’s Salisbury Plain Training Area on Monday – with firefighters unable to reach the flames because of the risk of unexploded ordnance.
Forecasters say that next week, thunderstorms will sweep the country as temperatures finally take a dip.
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But before that, Brits are urged to take care and keep an eye out for isolated neighbours and family members.
The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin said temperatures could peak at 33C today.
