The UK rail network faces an increased risk of damage in the future due to changes in the climate, according to two new studies.
The studies, presented in the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, show extreme weather conditions such as wet winters and hot summers are likely to increase over the next five decades due to global warming.
Such severe weather can cause more landslides and severe flooding, leading to a widespread disruption to travel.
One study was conducted by the University of Southampton, where data regarding the number of landslides and floods that resulted in rail delays of more than eight hours was examined.
It was found that the maximum delays were higher during the wet winter of 2000-2001, when rail passengers experienced widespread travel disruption.
The south-east of England was one of the areas at particular risk because much of London's rail network is built on soft clay, which is vulnerable to landslides, according to bbc.co.uk, quoting the lead author of the university paper, Fleur Loveridge.
Another study by Network Rail engineers noted that the current condition of the UK rail network is vulnerable to damage due to extreme weather.
The engineers examined the state of embankments and railway cuttings and found that around half of the 10,000km of railway lines in the UK were in marginal or poor condition, and suggested investment to tackle the issue.
