The Big Timetable Change: EMR's revised timetable provides Staffordshire stronger connections to the East Midlands
- Revised timetable delivers more consistent journey opportunities, enhance reliability, and provide better east-west links for communities across North Staffordshire.
- The majority of customers in Staffordshire will now have access to direct trains from Crewe to Lincoln
- Customers are advised to check the timetable to confirm if their usual service has changed
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has announced a series of timetable changes that will significantly improve Staffordshire’s rail connections with the East Midlands and beyond.
Taking effect from Sunday 14 December, the timetable brings a range of improvements to services across the Midlands - delivering wider economic benefits of £2.4 million a year.
The changes deliver more consistent journey opportunities, enhance reliability, and provide better east-west links for communities across North Staffordshire.
The majority of customers in Staffordshire will now have access to direct trains from Crewe to Lincoln, creating stronger east-west transport links and opening up new opportunities for leisure, education, and business travel.
Improved connections at Nottingham will further enhance access to destinations such as Norwich and Skegness, while Attenborough will benefit from an all-day hourly service to both Derby and Crewe.
The extended service from Crewe to Lincoln underpins a standard hour timetable that brings simplicity and consistency to the regional network. It allows for a more predictable service pattern, making rail travel easier to understand and more dependable for everyday customers.
For North Staffordshire, the changes focus on delivering a more reliable and resilient service. Extended turnaround times at Crewe will reduce the risk of short-notice terminations at Stoke-on-Trent.
As part of the timetable restructure, connections at Crewe are being strengthened, with better alignment to Avanti West Coast services to the Northwest and Scotland. Similarly, the timetable offers more convenient onward links from Manchester Piccadilly to Derby and stations along the North Staffordshire Line, reducing total journey times and boosting regional accessibility.
While the timing of some early morning trains will be adjusted, evening services and last train departures remain unchanged, protecting travel options later in the day. There will also be a reduction in stops at Peartree to allow the wider enhancements to services and connections across the network.
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: “Since EMR began operating in 2019, we’ve increased the number of train carriages serving our Regional routes by 50%. This timetable builds on this and makes best use of our available fleet and will be supported by our £28 million regional refurbishment programme, delivering a more comfortable and consistent customer experience.
"These changes are great news for Staffordshire, providing better east-west links and a more resilient service for our customers - creating stronger connections for leisure, education, and business.
"It also improves connections at Nottingham and introduces a better alignment with Avanti West Coast services."
For full details of the December timetable changes customers should visit https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/the-big-timetable-change
