Essential travel only: EMR to run significantly reduced services and trains will be incredibly busy to and from London on Sunday and Monday due to RMT strike action

East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, will run a significantly reduced timetable to and from London on Sunday 30 August and Monday 31 August due to strike action by the RMT union.

Customers are advised to only travel if their journey is absolutely essential on these dates and to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before travelling.

Compounding the issue is the fact that this Sunday there will be no LNER trains between London King’s Cross and Peterborough as part of digital signalling upgrades being carried out by Network Rail.

As a result, EMR services to and from London St Pancras are expected to be extremely busy, with increased demand coinciding with a reduced service due to strike action. Sheffield station and Nottingham station will also be very busy and queues to board services will be in place. 

EMR recognises the significant disruption this will cause to customers’ plans over the August Bank Holiday and understands how frustrating this news will be for its customers, particularly following the three Saturdays targeted by RMT strikes earlier this month.

EMR continues to have constructive discussions with the RMT and has met with the union six times as it works towards resolving the issues at the heart of this dispute. At the same time, EMR is working closely with Hitachi Rail to ensure that concerns are being properly addressed.

Customers are advised that:

• A queuing system will be in place at London St Pancras and Sheffield for EMR services.
• It may not be possible to board your intended service or get a seat
• Customers should allow extra time at the station and consider travelling on a weekday if possible.
• EMR trains on routes between Sheffield, Nottingham and London St Pancras are likely to be extremely busy, with the potential for standing room only.
• If they have not yet purchased tickets, customers should consider travelling on Saturday or Tuesday.
• Customers who would normally travel with LNER should follow alternative travel arrangements rather than travelling via EMR services.

LNER customers who wish to travel to or from London St Pancras should:

• Travel on Thameslink services to or from Bedford.
• Change at Bedford for the dedicated rail replacement bus services to and from Peterborough.
• Continue their journey from Peterborough on an LNER service.

Members of the RMT union will also take strike action on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September. EMR is currently assessing the impact of the industrial action on services. Any timetable changes will be published as soon as they are confirmed.

As a result of this strike action, the planned Intercity timetable uplift will now take place on Tuesday 1 September. Further information can be found here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/reducedtimetable 

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director, at East Midlands Railway, said: "We recognise how frustrating this disruption will be for customers, particularly following the three Saturdays affected by RMT strike action earlier this month, and we are very sorry for the impact this will have on August Bank Holiday plans.

"We continue to have constructive discussions with the RMT and have met with the union six times as we work towards resolving the issues at the heart of this dispute.

"We strongly advise customers to only travel to or from London if their journey is essential on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August, and to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before setting out.

"Services will be significantly reduced and are expected to be extremely busy, with queuing systems in place at London St Pancras and Sheffield and the possibility of standing room only.

"Customers should allow extra time to make their journey and consider travelling on Saturday or Tuesday where possible. Customers who normally travel to London via LNER, should use their rail replacement services.

"We will continue to provide the latest information through our website, stations and social media.”

Service details

Sunday 30 August

Customers are advised to only travel if their journey is essential.

EMR services will start from approximately 08:00 and finish before 19:00. 

EMR Intercity

• One train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras.
• One train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras.

EMR Connect

• One train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras.

No rail replacement bus services will be provided.

As part of the East Coast Digital Upgrade programme, Network Rail is carrying out essential engineering work on the East Coast Main Line, affecting services to and from London King’s Cross.

LNER trains will start and terminate at Peterborough, where rail replacement buses will operate to and from Bedford for onward connections with Thameslink to London St Pancras.

Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.

Monday 31 August

Customers are advised to only travel if their journey is essential.

EMR services will start from approximately 08:00 and finish before 19:00. 

EMR Intercity

• One train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras.
• One train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras.

EMR Connect

• One train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras.

No rail replacement bus services will be provided.

Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.

Wednesday 16 September

EMR is currently assessing the impact of this industrial action on its services.

Any timetable changes will be published as soon as they are confirmed.

Thursday 17 September

EMR is currently assessing the impact of this industrial action on its services.

Any timetable changes will be published as soon as they are confirmed.

Customers should continue to check the EMR website Train Strike information | Rail Strike Dates | EMR information in stations and social media for the latest advice and information.