In a rare pre-emptive safety move, SNCF suspended almost all TER regional services across Nouvelle-Aquitaine between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on 24 and 25 June. The operator said prolonged track temperatures above 55 °C risk rail buckling and pantograph damage, making full closure preferable to speed restrictions that still require staff exposure on ballast for inspections. Lot-et-Garonne’s prefecture remains under red heat alert, with forecast highs of 42 °C. The interruption affects critical commuter flows into Bordeaux and Toulouse and disrupts connecting services to Spain. Businesses in the region report up to 40 % of staff working remotely; logistics firms have shifted last-mile deliveries to early-morning slots to beat the closure window. Alternative coaches are limited because the regional council fleet lacks sufficient air-conditioned vehicles. Travellers holding TER tickets may ride earlier or later trains or claim full refunds. SNCF will reassess service levels after 26 June as temperatures are expected to drop below the 38 °C infrastructure-risk threshold. The episode underscores climate-adaptation challenges for French rail: steel-grade upgrades and additional track-side watering points are planned under SNCF Réseau’s €800 million resilience programme but will not be fully deployed until 2030.
Source: La Dépêche du Midi
