Engineering works begin this weekend: Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley fans advised to expect longer journeys and extremely busy services

Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley football fans attending Monday's Play off Final at Wembley are being told to expect longer journeys, queuing systems and extremely busy services - as essential engineering works begin on Saturday.

The track upgrades to the Midland Mainline will significantly affect East Midlands Railway (EMR) services for 16 days from Saturday, 27 May to Sunday,11 June - including during Summer half-term.

The essential work by Network Rail will result in a reduced Monday to Saturday timetable of one train per hour between London St Pancras and Sheffield - which will not call at Derby - and one train per hour that will run between London St Pancras and Derby.

Customers travelling between Derby and Sheffield should use CrossCountry services which will take a diversionary route, adding up to one hour to journey times.

On Sunday, 4 June one train will run per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras. While between the hours of 1400-1830, there will also be one train per hour that runs between Derby – London St Pancras.

One train per hour will run from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras on Sunday, 11 June.

On the Derwent Valley Line buses will replace trains between Derby and Matlock, connecting to and from train services.  

The vital upgrades will deliver a package of improvements to both Clay Cross and Milford tunnels including upgrading drainage and replacing sleepers - this will help maintain a safe, reliable and smooth service for customers and freight users through the tunnels.

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are advising Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday fans travelling Bank Holiday Monday to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journeys. 

"Saturday marks the start of a 16 day stretch of engineering works where there will be fewer Intercity services to Derby, Chesterfield and Sheffield, and journey times will be extended.

“Rail replacement buses will be in place on the Derwent Valley Line, between Derby and Matlock, with the exception of the ASLEF Strike days on 31 May and 3 June, where there will be no services.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carries out this essential upgrade of the tracks at both Clay Cross and Milford tunnels.”

Customers are reminded that on the days of 31 May and 3 June, members of the ASLEF Union will be striking - meaning that there will be no EMR services running on these days and no rail replacement buses. While on 2 June, members from the RMT union will striking and services will be significantly reduced. Further details regarding the days of industrial action can be found here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/rail-strike 

Changes to services on Monday - Saturday starting 27 May 

EMR intercity 

• One train per hour London St Pancras – Derby
• One train per hour London St Pancras to Sheffield, but does not call at Derby

Rail replacement buses will operate on the Derwent Valley line between Derby and Matlock

Customers travelling between Derby and Sheffield should use CrossCountry services which will take a diversionary route, adding up to 1 hour to journey times.

Strikes days 

• No services will operate on ASLEF strike days – 31 May and 3 June
• Services will be significantly reduced on 1 June 

Sunday, 4 June

• One train per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras
• Between the hours of 1400-1830, there will also be one train per hour that runs between Derby – London St Pancras

Sunday, 11 June 

• One train per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras