The problem is the wrong sort of leaves on the line.

As a country, we are not prepared for such extreme hot weather. It's ridiculous, isn't it? How can we not be prepared?

The weather is changing and records are being broken. Not just previous highs and lows but the more crucially the frequency of extreme events.

There must be changes to ensure that people are protected from this extreme weather if as predicted climate change means summers like these are to become much more common.

We cannot escape the facts. According to UNICEF, 1 in 3 children are now breathing in unsafe levels of air pollution due to the humidity and it is predicted that 7,000 heat-related deaths a year will be a common feature of summers by 2050.

Last week I welcomed the report published by MPs and led by Mary Creagh on the Environmental Audit Committee, which calls for a rethink of many different aspects of rules and laws to do with this.

The challenges are widespread.

In terms of transport, can you believe that not enough of our major roads are surfaced to withstand extreme heat? Train tracks are at risk of buckling, parts of the Leeds Liverpool Canal are closed and the heat inside poorly air-conditioned trains and buses is a direct health threat to passengers. Will a Government invest to make urgent improvements?

Children, the elderly and those who have long-term health conditions are at much higher risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Are the NHS and the wider care system properly funded for a higher rate of admissions?

Some buildings (both residential and commercial) are now like greenhouses because of poor design and lack of building control regulations. Will there be a revision of regulations to ensure heat is kept out in the summer?

Britain needs to plan better instead as too often trying to cut corners.

Harvests could be affected if irrigation systems cannot allow for such scarcity of rainfall. Reservoirs could soon be at dangerously low levels and more hosepipe bans could be in place. How soon will the Government’s announced water plan come into action to ensure the country does not teeter on the edge of a water shortage every summer?

As I have stated in previous columns for the Lancashire Telegraph, big infrastructure challenges in our country can only be solved by MPs from all parties co-operating together so to present a long-term plan.