Train services to and from London will face significant disruption over the August bank holiday weekend as union members strike over safety concerns. East Midlands Railway (EMR) has confirmed plans for a "significantly reduced" timetable for services to and from London on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, and passengers have been advised to travel only if necessary.
Reduced Timetable and Travel Advice
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are striking, and EMR said it is holding "constructive discussions" with the union. Commuters have been advised to check details before embarking on their journeys and to only travel if essential.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at EMR, said the company recognises "how frustrating this disruption will be for customers." "We are very sorry for the impact this will have on August bank holiday plans," she said. "We strongly advise customers to only travel to or from London if their journey is essential on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, and to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before setting out."
Sunday Disruptions and Engineering Works
Sunday, August 30 will see further disruption. No LNER trains will run between London King's Cross and Peterborough as digital signalling upgrades are carried out by Network Rail. EMR services to and from London St Pancras are expected to be busy on Sunday, with increased demand coinciding with reduced services. Sheffield and Nottingham stations will likely be busy, with queues to board services expected.
On Sunday, EMR services will start from approximately 8am and finish before 7pm. EMR Intercity will run one train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras and one train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras. EMR Connect will run one train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras. No rail replacement bus services will be provided.
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, and replacement buses will operate to and from Bedford for onward connections with Thameslink to London St Pancras.
Monday Services and Further Strikes
On Monday, August 31, EMR services will also start from approximately 8am and finish before 7pm. The same reduced timetable applies: one train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras, one train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras, and one train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras. No rail replacement bus services will be provided.
Members of the RMT union will also take strike action on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, and EMR is assessing the impact of the industrial action on services.
