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Travel delays: Air traffic control problem affects Heathrow and Gatwick | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Rail and air passengers are being hit by more delays after record-breaking temperatures caused travel chaos on Thursday. | Rail and air passengers are being hit by more delays after record-breaking temperatures caused travel chaos on Thursday. |
Rail companies feared rail lines would buckle - but it was sagging overhead cables which have led to problems. | Rail companies feared rail lines would buckle - but it was sagging overhead cables which have led to problems. |
There are also delays and cancellations due to weather at London airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. | |
A technical problem with the UK's air traffic control system is also causing problems. | |
Nats - which controls UK airspace - said there is a problem at Swanwick Control Centre which it is trying to fix. | |
Martin White and his wife were stuck at Naples Airport after their Thursday night flight to Gatwick Airport was cancelled due to the weather. | |
"Everybody is packed liked sardines and there are fraying tempers," Mr White said. | "Everybody is packed liked sardines and there are fraying tempers," Mr White said. |
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. | 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 Thursday evening and into Friday was caused by storms across Europe. | |
Luton Airport had five cancellations on Friday morning while Gatwick Airport had 19. | |
Heathrow Airport issued an apology via Twitter for the disruption, and advised customers to speak to airline providers for more information. | |
Guy Holloway's morning flight from Heathrow to Oslo was cancelled due to adverse weather. | |
"After 2.5 hours we are now near the front of the queue to be rebooked," he said on Friday morning. | |
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, on the rail network, speed restrictions on Thursday prevented lines from buckling in the heat, but damage to overhead lines left some commuters stranded in London on Thursday night. | |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. | 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." |
Thursday saw the UK's second hottest day - and hottest July day - on record, with temperatures reaching 38.1C (100.6F) in Cambridge. | Thursday saw the UK's second hottest day - and hottest July day - on record, with temperatures reaching 38.1C (100.6F) in Cambridge. |
Are you currently experiencing delays to your journey? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you currently experiencing delays to your journey? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |