Wrong type of soil blamed for train delays by Network Rail

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Network Rail will impose speed restrictions and reduce services on the Fen Line starting August 3 due to soil shrinkage caused by recent drought conditions affecting track stability. These measures aim to prevent further deterioration and may extend across other routes if dry weather persists, with specialist maintenance and bus replacements planned to maintain safety.

Network Rail has attributed upcoming speed restrictions on certain British train services to dried-out soil caused by recent drought conditions. Starting Monday, August 3, trains operating on the Fen Line between Ely in Cambridgeshire and King’s Lynn in Norfolk will face reduced speeds due to soil shrinkage beneath the tracks, which has caused unevenness and track subsidence. As a result, some services will be withdrawn and remaining trains may run with fewer carriages, leading to longer journey times.

The soil issues stem from England’s warmest spring on record followed by a hot summer, which has dried peat and clay layers under sections of the railway in East Anglia. Network Rail warned these speed restrictions will remain until ground conditions stabilize, a process that could take a significant period. Similar problems are anticipated on the West of England line between Salisbury and Exeter, where speeds are expected to be cut from 85 mph to 40 mph.

Network Rail also indicated that if the drought persists, other routes may face comparable restrictions and maintenance challenges. The Fen Line will undergo specialist maintenance later this month and again in September to prevent further track deterioration, during which bus replacement services will be in operation.

This development adds to a growing list of weather-related challenges impacting Britain’s rail network in recent years. Heavy rain events have caused landslides and derailments, including fatalities near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, in 2020 and derailment of an express train near Shap, Cumbria, last year. Coastal routes, notably the Great Western line through Devon, have experienced damage from storm-driven waves.

In addition to ground and weather-related issues, warmer conditions have accelerated tree growth, increasing instances of branches striking trains. This has prompted Network Rail to revise vegetation management schedules to mitigate safety risks and service disruptions.

Further maintenance needs have been identified on Greater Anglia, c2c, and Elizabeth Line routes in Essex as part of efforts to address the impact of dry soil conditions and ensure network safety and reliability.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.