Rail strike reminder: EMR services significantly impacted as two Unions strike

East Midlands Railway (EMR) will be running a significantly reduced level of service on Thursday 18, and Saturday 20 August, due to both the RMT and TSSA Unions going on strike.

Although EMR has been working on contingency plans, the opening hours of the railway and the number of services operating will be significantly reduced.

Due to the greater impact of two Unions striking at the same time, EMR is unable to operate the same timetable which was operated during the weekday strikes that have taken place previously – meaning a reduced level of ability to run services across the rail network.

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.

This includes the days after the strike, as knock-on effects will impact services on Friday 19 August. While on Sunday 21 August, some services to and from London may be affected by engineering works. 

There will be no Skegness Summer special services, as no trains will run to/from Skegness on Saturday. 

For any customers travelling to / from football fixtures, the last train departures will be starting from around 15:30 and therefore there will be no return journey options.  Therefore fans should make alternative travel arrangements for their journey home.

EMR has continued to work closely with colleagues across the railway to ensure they can deliver as robust and reliable service as possible for their customers.

As in previous strikes, a significant pool of contingency staff have been trained (to the same safety critical standards as their permanent colleagues) to ensure a service can continue to operate.  However, due to there being two unions involved, the levels of service on these days will impacted to a greater level than previously strikes.

Network Rail is also affected by strike action and therefore its ability to operate the infrastructure is also significantly reduced. 

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: "We are extremely disappointed that both RMT and TSSA have decided to opt for counterproductive strikes rather than working with the industry to find a deal that is acceptable for our people, our passengers and for taxpayers.

“As a result, there will be significant changes to our normal timetable, with differences between the timetables on Thursday 18 August and Saturday 20 August. Some parts of our network will have no train services at all, and other lines will have a reduced level of service.

"I would urge all customers to think carefully about their journeys next week – and make alternative arrangements if possible.” 

A summary of EMR services each day is below. 

Thursday 18 August

• EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only

EMR Intercity

• One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London
• One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London

EMR Regional

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

All other lines of route will be closed.

Compared to the previous strike day services, this means EMR Connect services and services between Nottingham and Sheffield will also not be able to run.

Friday 19 August

Services will start after 0700 with some reductions throughout the day. Check before you travel and allow extra time to complete your journey.

Saturday 20 August

• EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only

EMR Intercity

• One Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London
• One Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London

EMR Regional

• One Train per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• One Train per Hour between Derby and Nottingham

All other lines of route will be closed.

There will be no Skegness Summer special services, as no trains will run to/from Skegness on this day. 

For more information, including timetables, advice on refunds and ticket exchanges and answers to the most asked questions, please visit: www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk  

Rail Replacement Bus (RRB) services will not be provided where lines are closed as there is not enough capacity to meet demand.  

ENDS