East Midlands Railway (EMR) has warned passengers of major disruption to services to and from London St Pancras this bank holiday weekend as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walk out over safety concerns. The strike will take place on Sunday, August 30, and bank holiday Monday, August 31, with the company running a “significantly reduced” timetable on both days.
EMR advised passengers to only travel if their journey is essential on these dates and to check before setting out. Compounding the disruption, LNER will run no trains between London King’s Cross and Peterborough on Sunday due to digital signalling upgrades by Network Rail. As a result, EMR services to and from London St Pancras are expected to be extremely busy, with increased demand coinciding with a reduced service.
Reduced timetable and service details
On both strike days, one train per hour will run between London St Pancras and Sheffield, Nottingham, and Corby. Services will not start until 8am and will finish by 7pm, with no replacement bus service provided. Queuing systems will operate at London St Pancras and Sheffield, and trains may have standing room only.
EMR Intercity will run one train per hour between Nottingham–London St Pancras and Sheffield–London St Pancras. EMR Connect will operate one train per hour between Corby–London St Pancras. Customers are advised to travel only if essential and check their first and last trains.
LNER disruption and alternative routes
On Sunday, August 30, LNER services will not run between London King’s Cross and Peterborough. LNER customers should instead use Thameslink to Bedford, then the rail replacement bus to Peterborough, before continuing by LNER. Further RMT strike action is planned for Wednesday, September 16, and Thursday, September 17, but EMR has not yet confirmed the impact on services.
The RMT has voiced concerns about safety issues and faults on some trains. The union said its members are instructed to refuse to work a Class 810 train if a list of faults it has drawn up, including lack of air-con, door faults, and non-working toilets, continue.
Union and company responses
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union would ensure representatives will be permanently involved in discussions with both EMR and manufacturer Hitachi to try to improve the situation. “RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service. It is now time for EMR management to act on the safety concerns of our members,” he said.
EMR said it continues to have “constructive discussions” with the RMT and has met with the union six times as it works towards resolving the issues. Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at EMR, said: “We recognise how frustrating this disruption will be for customers, particularly following the three Saturdays affected by RMT strike action earlier this month, and we are very sorry for the impact this will have on August bank holiday plans.”
She added: “Services will be significantly reduced and are expected to be extremely busy, with queuing systems in place at London St Pancras and Sheffield and the possibility of standing room only. Customers should allow extra time to make their journey and consider travelling on Saturday or Tuesday where possible. Customers in Scotland, the North East, and Yorkshire travelling to or from London, and are yet to purchase a ticket and would normally travel with LNER, are strongly encouraged to follow LNER’s travel advice and use their replacement bus service.”
