Drivers urged to postpone journeys as record heatwave threatens to melt roads

Drivers whose vehicles do not have efficient air conditioning are advised to postpone non-essential travel during the current heat wave.

In its urgent appeal, the RAC also urged drivers to be “patient” as record demand is expected to lead to longer waiting times for breakdown assistance.

The advice follows the Met Office’s red weather warning for extreme temperatures, which is in place for Wednesday and Thursday.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said these warnings were “rare” and “we would urge everyone to take them seriously this week”.

He continued: “Motorists whose vehicles do not have effective air conditioning should strongly consider postponing non-essential driving until the Met Office weather warnings are lifted and temperatures drop.

“If this is not possible, our best advice is to travel during cooler parts of the day.”

He said this week “could be a record-breaking week for June” in terms of the number of calls for broken down vehicles.

He added: “Our busiest June was three years ago, but there is also a chance of shade as temperatures rise this week.

“Today, we expect fault volumes to be approximately 20% higher than normal on a Monday in late June.

“We would ask for anyone who has a breakdown to be patient while breakdown providers prioritize the most urgent roadside work.

“The heatwave will impact services across the UK and although all patrols will be working incredibly hard to assist motorists, longer waits are likely.”

AA chief Edmund King said motorists should not be “surprised” to see sandblasters being deployed.

The machines are normally used to spread salt to stop ice forming on roads during the winter months, but they can also be used to spread light sand dust in high temperatures.

Mr King said surface temperatures could reach as high as 50°C when air temperatures were in the “low to mid 30s”.

In East Anglia, last month saw several roads melt in the heat, such as the A143 at Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds.

Mr King continued: “As surface temperatures reach 50°C, some roads, particularly older or more sensitive surfaces, may begin to soften.

“The real risk to drivers is not that the road suddenly ‘melts’ everywhere, but that patches can become sticky or uneven.

“This can affect braking, steering and grip, especially for motorcyclists and cyclists, and can also result in loose materials being thrown.”

Drivers encountering a softened road surface are advised to slow down, avoid hard braking or steering, and increase the distance to the vehicle in front.

Mr King also said the heat was putting extra strain on vehicles.

Tires are more likely to fail in hot weather, especially under-inflated, damaged or old tires.

Mr King added that animals should not be left in parked cars in high temperatures, even for short periods, because interiors “can soon become as hot as an oven”.

Meanwhile, train passengers are also warned against disruptions due to heat.

Great Western Railway said it would run fewer trains than usual between London Paddington and Reading until Friday.

This is because Network Rail has not moved some points on the route – the metal parts that enable trains to change tracks – to reduce the risk of failure, which is more likely in high temperatures.

There are disruptions to the Transport for Wales network, including between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay and Coryton and Penarth.

South Western Railway has issued a warning saying “services may be subject to short notice cancellations and changes”.