TRAINS were disrupted and commuters left frustrated as temperatures reached a scorching 32 degrees yesterday.

Speed restrictions were applied to some Greater Anglia trains as the heat could damage the infrastructure.

To prevent rails from buckling when they get hot, and to protect overhead lines, a total of 54 services were cancelled, including ones from London to Southend and Liverpool Street to Norwich.

Resident Claire Watling said: “Rail lines can warp in this hot weather, as they’re metal.

“The have a team that go out and check the lines during the day, if they didn’t do this they risk derailment putting lives at risk.”

Niall Campbell said on Facebook: “We’ll all be affected, because the other trains will fill up creating their own hazards. What do countries like Spain, France and Japan do to make their trains run on time in a warmer climate than ours?”

Those who had already bought tickets were able to travel on earlier trains if their service was cancelled. A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by these heat-related speed restrictions and the amended timetable that we have to run.”

Drivers were warned to stay safe, particularly if they had dogs. The Dogs Trust, which has stores in the town centre, issued advice telling drivers to carry supply of water, and said not to leave dogs in parked cars.

As temperatures averaged at 27 degrees, the East of Enland Ambulance Service advised people spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

The Met Office has warned the high temperatures will last. Colchester General Hospital is asking people not to visit inpatients until the evening.

Alison Power, director of operations, said: “During periods like this, we follow our Heatwave Plan which is why we are moving visiting hours to the evenings when it is cooler. We are also making chilled water available for all inpatients and are providing a cooler area in all of the wards as necessary.

“We are monitoring our more vulnerable patients and taking other steps such as reducing internal temperatures through shading.”