Travelling on August Bank Holiday Weekend? This is what you need to know

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has issued advice to customers who are planning to travel during the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Due to upgrade work on the East Coast Main Line, customers should expect EMR services on the Midland Main Line to London to be busy over the the weekend, particularly on Sunday 25 August, when we expect them to be extremely busy. 

The work, which is being carried out by Network Rail, is part of the East Coast Digital Programme, a landmark scheme that will introduce in-cab digital signalling on the southern part of the East Coast Main Line, between London King's Cross and Grantham.

With signalling information being provided directly to the driver, via a screen in their cab, there will no longer be a need to maintain a large amount of lineside equipment involved with traditional ‘traffic light’ signals. As a result, the amount of signalling-related engineering work will reduce in the future by around almost half - which is great news for customers. 

Whilst Network Rail carries out route upgrade work on the East Coast Main Line, many customers who would usually travel to/from King's Cross are likely to travel on EMR services to/from London St Pancras to complete their journeys.

EMR anticipates that some of its services may be significantly busier than usual due to customers with flexible tickets choosing to travel via EMR instead of the planned alternative. This could be because EMR services may offer a quicker or more direct route.

EMR is looking forward to welcoming customers on board its trains and will be running as many carriages as possible to ensure a comfortable travel experience for its customers.

To help make customers' trips as smooth as possible, EMR advises the following:

• Allow extra time at the station: Due to the increase in the number of people expected to travel, journeys may take longer.

• Expect queues: Queues will be arranged at London St Pancras based on the destination of the service customers are boarding. EMR staff will ask to check ticket destinations and direct customers to the most suitable queue for their location, whether this be a queue for services towards Derby/Sheffield, Nottingham, or Corby.

• If you require assistance: Book in advance and allow plenty of time to get to the railway station. https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/trains-stations/assisted-travel 

• Keep luggage to a minimum: We advise customers to bring a maximum of three items of luggage and only bring what you are comfortable to carry yourself.

• Use the rail replacement buses if you are travelling in part with LNER or Great Northern: Customers who normally travel with LNER and Great Northern are advised to use rail replacement bus connections - more information is available here.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming customers on board our services during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

"However, due to vital work that will bring important improvements to the East Coast Main Line, we are expecting our services to be busier than normal and that's why we have issued some advice to help you make an informed choice so your journey is more comfortable."

ENDS