Essential track upgrades to Midland Mainline will significantly affect EMR services for 16 days - including during Summer half-term

East Midlands Railway (EMR) customers are being advised to check their journey from Saturday, 27 May to Sunday, 11 June as essential engineering work on the Midland Mainline will significantly affect services - including during the summer half-term.

The essential work by Network Rail will result in a reduced Monday to Saturday timetable of one train per hour between London St Pancras and Sheffield - which will not call at Derby - and one train per hour that will run between London St Pancras and Derby.

On Sunday, 4 June, one train will run per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras. While between the hours of 1400-1830, there will also be one train per hour that runs between Derby – London St Pancras.

While, one train per hour will run from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras on on Sunday, 11 June.

On the Derwent Valley Line buses will replace trains between Derby and Matlock, connecting to and from train services.  

Customers are reminded that on the days of 31 May and 3 June, ASLEF union will be striking, meaning that there will be no EMR services running on these days and no rail replacement buses.

The vital upgrades will deliver a package of improvements to both Clay Cross and Milford tunnels including upgrading drainage and replacing sleepers - this will help maintain a safe, reliable and smooth service for customers and freight users through the tunnels.

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are asking any customers planning to travel over the Summer half term, between 27 May and 11 June, to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journeys.

“There will be fewer Intercity services to Derby, Chesterfield and Sheffield, and journey times will be extended.

“Rail replacement buses will be in place on the Derwent Valley Line, between Derby and Matlock, with the exception of the ASLEF Strike days on 31 May and 3 June, where there will be no services.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carries out this essential upgrade of the tracks at both Clay Cross and Milford tunnels.”

Changes to services on Monday - Saturday

• EMR intercity 

       o One train per hour London St Pancras – Derby

       o One train per hour London St Pancras to Sheffield, but does not call at Derby

• Rail replacement buses will operate on the Derwent Valley line between Derby and Matlock
  
  
• No services will operate on ASLEF strike days – 31 May and 3 June

Sunday 4 June

• One train per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras
• Between the hours of 1400-1830, there will also be one train per hour that runs between Derby – London St Pancras

Sunday 11 June

• One train per hour from Sheffield (via Derby) – London St Pancras