Rail strikes and engineering work: EMR confirm reduced services for Saturday, 18 March

East Midlands Railway (EMR) will run a reduced level of service next Thursday (16) and Saturday (18) due to industrial action by members of the RMT Union.

EMR services (full details below) will only operate between 0730 and 1830 and customers are asked to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary.

If customers need to travel, they are asked to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journey. 

On Saturday, 18 March, Network Rail is undertaking vital engineering works between Leicester and Kettering, closing all lines. This will mean a reduced Intercity train service will operate between Nottingham and Leicester, and Sheffield and Leicester. 

Between London St Pancras International and Kettering, a reduced Intercity train service will operate. A rail replacement bus service will run between Leicester and Kettering, also serving Market Harborough.

In addition to the above, also on Saturday (18), a reduced EMR Connect service will operate between Corby and London St Pancras International.

EMR will also be operating a full service between Nottingham, Derby and Uttoxeter to enable customers to travel to / from Uttoxeter for the Midlands Grand National, operating until 23:30 on Saturday. 

Strike action will affect other routes across the country. Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: "We are advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on days affected by industrial action. Customers are also strongly advised to check when the time of their last train is before setting off and understand how the strike action affects their whole journey - especially taking into consideration the added impact of engineering works on Saturday."

Affected services

Thursday, March 16

Customers are advised to only travel if necessary.

EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only.

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

EMR Regional

• One Train per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• One Train per Hour between Derby and Nottingham
• One Train per Hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• One Train per Hour between Leicester and Nottingham (Stopping Service)
• One Train per Hour between Mansfield Woodhouse and Nottingham

All other lines of route will be closed and no Rail Replacement Bus services will be provided.

Strike action will affect other routes across the country. Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.

Friday, 17 March

Services will operate as normal. 

Saturday, 18 March 

EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only.

EMR Intercity

• One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and Leicester
• One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and Leicester
• One Train per Hour between Kettering and London St Pancras

EMR Connect

• One Train Per Hour between Corby and London St Pancras

EMR Regional

• One Train per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• One Train per Hour between Nottingham - Uttoxeter
• One Train per Hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• One Train per Hour between Leicester and Lincoln 
• One Train per Hour between Mansfield Woodhouse and Nottingham 
• One Train per Hour between Grantham and Nottingham

EMR will also be operating a full service between Nottingham and Uttoxeter to enable customers to travel to / from Uttoxeter for the Midlands Grand National, operating until 2330.