Hot weather shuts bridge just days after reopening following 8-month closure

This week's hot weather has caused disruption across parts of Wales, with a historic bridge linking England and Wales closed, while public services have also been affected.

Tuesday is forecast to be another very hot and humid day in Wales with temperatures climbing to 32C (89.6F) and an amber warning for extreme heat in place.

A red warning for extreme heat has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures could soar to an exceptional 37C.

The Old Wye Bridge in Chepstow was shut in October, then partially reopened just last week, but has now closed again to all traffic and pedestrians.

Specialist engineers advised on the closure of the bridge, which is sensitive to changes in temperature above 30°C and has been closed to vehicles since October, after cracks were discovered in its structural beams.

There is also disruption on the Transport for Wales network, while concert organisers at an event in Cardiff are increasing the number of free water stations and welfare facilities on site.

Sarah Higgins, operations director for Transport for Wales: "We're expecting services to be popular this week. Places like Barry Island, west Wales and the north Wales coast are likely to be key leisure destinations.

"There are also events on in Cardiff over the course of the week.

"We're asking all customers to check before they travel. Keep water on hand, dress comfortably for the weather and allow more time for your travel because some services may be a little bit disrupted."

She said tickets purchased for Wednesday or Thursday could also be used on Friday if customers chose not to travel.

Great Western Railway (GWR) added it would be offering an "amended service".

"Essential travel only on Wednesday and Thursday into, through, or out of the red warning area.

"Extreme heat can cause rails to expand and buckle, so when temperatures reach certain thresholds, trains must run more slowly to keep services safe.

"This will mean fewer trains and slightly longer journey times during the warmest periods of each day."

Waste and recycling crews will be starting their rounds earlier than usual in many Welsh counties and Newport council has decided to close the city's museum, art gallery and central library until Friday.

So far, schools in Wales remain open and local authorities are asking head teachers to decide on any closures individually.

Some schools have cancelled sports days and school trips, and school menus have been altered for the next few days with lighter meal options available.

Monday night was tropical in some part of Wales, the Met Office said, with temperatures not falling below 20C in Aberporth in Ceredigion, Cardiff and St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Met Office warned that heat on Wednesday and Thursday would be accompanied by high humidity, which could make people feel even more uncomfortable.

Very warm and humid night times will also give people less of a chance to recover overnight, it added.

"Significant disruption to daily life is likely and the public should take every effort to make precautions and adapt their daily routines where possible to cope with these levels of heat, which up to now have been extremely rare for the UK," the Met Office said.

Ross Macleod, RNLI water safety manager said: "With another hot weekend on the way, we are urging families across Wales to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into the sea."

Welsh Water said it was urging customers to stay hydrated and use water wisely, adding demand was set to peak on Thursday.

It said its teams were working 24 hours a day to "ensure supplies stay flowing safely to homes, hospitals and businesses".

A spokesperson added: "On a typical day, Welsh Water treats and supplies around 850 mega litres of fresh, clean water to its three million customers - that's enough to fill 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools. As temperatures soar above 30°C, this level is expected to exceed 950 mega litres per day."

Victoria Lloyd, chief executive of Age Cymru said "heatwaves can have a troubling impact on older people, as many often don't realise they're overheating until they're already unwell".

"We're urging the public to check in on older neighbours and relatives to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat. Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference," she added.