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Heathrow and Gatwick passengers hit with more delays Heathrow and Gatwick passengers hit with more delays
(32 minutes later)
Air passengers at two of the UK's biggest airports are being hit by more disruption caused by a problem with the country's air traffic control system.Air passengers at two of the UK's biggest airports are being hit by more disruption caused by a problem with the country's air traffic control system.
It comes after Heathrow and Gatwick had already endured a day of flight cancellations and delays due to storms following this week's heatwave.It comes after Heathrow and Gatwick had already endured a day of flight cancellations and delays due to storms following this week's heatwave.
UK air traffic controller Nats said the situation would improve after it fixed the problem at Swanwick Control Centre. The UK air traffic controller said the situation would improve now that it had fixed the problem.
Rail delays caused by extreme heat also began to ease on Friday.Rail delays caused by extreme heat also began to ease on Friday.
The Met Office said Thursday was potentially the UK's hottest ever day after it received a provisional recording of 38.7C at Cambridge Botanic Garden.The Met Office said Thursday was potentially the UK's hottest ever day after it received a provisional recording of 38.7C at Cambridge Botanic Garden.
The reading will require "quality control and analysis" over the next few days, the forecaster said.The reading will require "quality control and analysis" over the next few days, the forecaster said.
Official figures, which recorded 38.1C in Cambridge, already put Thursday as the hottest July day on record and the UK's second hottest day.Official figures, which recorded 38.1C in Cambridge, already put Thursday as the hottest July day on record and the UK's second hottest day.
'No idea what to do''No idea what to do'
Mark Pickering was due to fly to Singapore on his way to Sydney, but his Thursday evening flight from Heathrow was cancelled due to "spoiled" food caused by the hot weather.Mark Pickering was due to fly to Singapore on his way to Sydney, but his Thursday evening flight from Heathrow was cancelled due to "spoiled" food caused by the hot weather.
He waited at the airport until 02:00 BST on Friday morning, before getting a hotel and returning at 07:00 to try again.He waited at the airport until 02:00 BST on Friday morning, before getting a hotel and returning at 07:00 to try again.
"I still don't know where my bags are and I've no idea what to do when I finally get to Singapore because I've missed my connecting flight by ages," he said."I still don't know where my bags are and I've no idea what to do when I finally get to Singapore because I've missed my connecting flight by ages," he said.
"When the flight was cancelled last night there was a line of about 300 to 400 people and no-one really knew what was going on. There was one person at the check in desk.""When the flight was cancelled last night there was a line of about 300 to 400 people and no-one really knew what was going on. There was one person at the check in desk."
Diane Styant, who was booked to fly on the same flight to Singapore as Mr Pickering, said she was not able to get any accommodation on Thursday night.Diane Styant, who was booked to fly on the same flight to Singapore as Mr Pickering, said she was not able to get any accommodation on Thursday night.
She said she had to sit on an upright chair in a coffee shop until 03:30, when she and her husband joined the queue in departures for rebooking.She said she had to sit on an upright chair in a coffee shop until 03:30, when she and her husband joined the queue in departures for rebooking.
After more than four hours, they managed to book another flight leaving on Friday.After more than four hours, they managed to book another flight leaving on Friday.
"Our precious annual holiday to visit our family who live in Singapore has not got off well," she added."Our precious annual holiday to visit our family who live in Singapore has not got off well," she added.
Friday has been cooler than Thursday, with temperatures ranging from 23C to 25C in most areas (73F to 77F), rising to 27C in south-east England.Friday has been cooler than Thursday, with temperatures ranging from 23C to 25C in most areas (73F to 77F), rising to 27C in south-east England.
During the day it is expected to be mostly dry, but rain is expected to develop across northern and eastern areas of the UK overnight. The disruption to flights on Friday was caused by storms across Europe.
The disruption to flights on Thursday evening and into Friday was caused by storms across Europe.
A "technical problem" at Swanwick air traffic control centre on Friday morning also caused problems at Heathrow and Gatwick.A "technical problem" at Swanwick air traffic control centre on Friday morning also caused problems at Heathrow and Gatwick.
The UK's air traffic controller said in the afternoon it had "fixed the issue sufficiently to safely increase traffic flow rates and will see an improving picture through the rest of the day".The UK's air traffic controller said in the afternoon it had "fixed the issue sufficiently to safely increase traffic flow rates and will see an improving picture through the rest of the day".
European air traffic co-ordinating agency Eurocontrol said the problem was caused by an "issue with radar displays".
Both Heathrow Airport and Gatwick asked passengers to check with airlines before travelling.Both Heathrow Airport and Gatwick asked passengers to check with airlines before travelling.
British Airways said severe thunderstorms had caused "significant delays and cancellations to our operation in and out of London".British Airways said severe thunderstorms had caused "significant delays and cancellations to our operation in and out of London".
The Independent's travel editor, Simon Calder, said "dozens" of the cancelled flights were on easyJet and there were "some very long delays on British Airways".The Independent's travel editor, Simon Calder, said "dozens" of the cancelled flights were on easyJet and there were "some very long delays on British Airways".
Meanwhile, some rail commuters were stranded in London on Thursday night after overhead wires on the network became damaged in the heat and speed restrictions were introduced to prevent the lines from buckling.
Despite working "flat out" to repair the damage, disruption continued into Friday and Network Rail advised passengers to check with their train operator before travelling.
At London Liverpool Street Station on Friday evening, passengers said on social media that all trains had been cancelled, leaving them stranded.At London Liverpool Street Station on Friday evening, passengers said on social media that all trains had been cancelled, leaving them stranded.
Author Erica James described the scene at the station as "hell", while fellow rail traveller Ross Brereton warned others on Twitter to avoid the station "like the plague".Author Erica James described the scene at the station as "hell", while fellow rail traveller Ross Brereton warned others on Twitter to avoid the station "like the plague".
Network Rail said not all services from Liverpool Street had been cancelled and there were only problems with two train lines.
Elsewhere, there was disruption on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Sheffield and on services operated by Great Northern, Thameslink, East Midlands Trains and West Midlands Trains.Elsewhere, there was disruption on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and Sheffield and on services operated by Great Northern, Thameslink, East Midlands Trains and West Midlands Trains.
West Midlands Railway said overnight work to repair damage was still ongoing and many trains were starting the day out of place, resulting in cancellations and shorter trains.West Midlands Railway said overnight work to repair damage was still ongoing and many trains were starting the day out of place, resulting in cancellations and shorter trains.
Passengers using Eurostar services to and from Paris also facing "severe disruption" due to overhead power line problems in the French capital.Passengers using Eurostar services to and from Paris also facing "severe disruption" due to overhead power line problems in the French capital.
Many operators said tickets for Friday could be used the following day, and offered compensation to season ticket holders who did not travel on Thursday.Many operators said tickets for Friday could be used the following day, and offered compensation to season ticket holders who did not travel on Thursday.
However, Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates trains in south-east England, initially said passengers with an annual pass would only be entitled to compensation if they attempted a journey on Thursday and were delayed - despite it urging customers to avoid travelling where possible.
But the firm then reversed its decision, saying passengers with an annual pass would be entitled to a payout even if they did not attempt a journey on Thursday.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "All passengers told not to travel due to extreme weather should be entitled to claim compensation."Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "All passengers told not to travel due to extreme weather should be entitled to claim compensation."