EMR confirms no trains tomorrow, and none east of Nottingham until Sunday

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has confirmed the impact that industrial union from four unions will significantly impact its services this week. 

Members from RMT, TSSA, ASLEF and Unite will be taking strike action – with disruption taking place from 5 October and up to and including Saturday, 8 October. 

EMR will not run any services on Wednesday 5 October as train drivers who are members of the ASLEF union will be taking strike action. 

From 6 October up to and including 8 October, no trains will run east out of Nottingham – affecting EMR’s regional customers who might want to travel to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

On some routes, EMR said trains will all terminate by 1830 and no further services will run. Customers should ensure they check the time of their last return train before travelling.

As in previous strikes, EMR has been working with colleagues across the railway to ensure they can deliver a robust and reliable service for their customers where possible.

Customers are strongly advised to check the EMR website, information in stations and social media for the latest advice and information.  

Will Rogers, EMR managing director, said: “As a result of strike action being taken by multiple unions across the country, we will be operating a significantly reduced service on strike days. In addition, we will unfortunately not be able to operate any trains on Wednesday 5 October, and from Thursday up to and including Saturday, we cannot operate any regional services east out of Nottingham.  

“We have worked hard to provide as many services as safely possible but it is a complicated situation with our timetables being impacted differently depending on which union is on strike. 

“That is why we are advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on strike days. Customers are also strongly advised to check when the time of their last train is before setting off.

“More detailed advice, including daily travel information, is available on our website.”

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 on some days. 

On 6 October members of the Unite union will take strike action from midnight. Unite members predominantly work in EMR’s depots and this affects its ability to provide trains for the day’s service.  

As a result EMR Intercity will operate between 0730 and 1830 only, and trains will all terminate by 1830 with no further services running. Customers should ensure they check the time of their last return train before you travel.

The service level will be:

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

EMR Connect  will have a normal timetable in place, with two trains per hour between Corby and London.

EMR Regional will operate: 

• one Train Per Hour between Derby and Matlock, 
• one Train Per Hour between Derby and Nottingham,
• one Train Per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham, 
• one Train Per hour between Leicester and Nottingham

In addition, a slightly reduced service will be provided on the Robin Hood Line. A near hourly service will operate between Nottingham and Worksop with services starting earlier and finishing later compared to other EMR Regional routes.  

All other lines of route will be closed all day.

Members of the Unite union will continue their strike action through to midnight on Friday 7 October. EMR will operate the same level of service as the day before.  Trains will all terminate by 1830 and no further services will run. Customers should ensure they check the time of their last return train before they travel.

On 8 October, members of the TSSA union and RMT will take action short of a strike on Saturday 8 October. EMR services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only. 

EMR Intercity will operate: 

• one Train Per Hour between Nottingham and London in both directions calling at Beeston, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester Market Harborough and Kettering.
• one Train Per Hour between Sheffield and London in both directions calling at Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough and Leicester.

EMR Connect will operate one Train Per Hour between Corby and London in both directions calling at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.

EMR Regional will operate: 

• one Train Per Hour between Derby and Matlock
• one Train Per Hour between Derby and Nottingham
• one Train Per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• one Train Per hour between Leicester and Nottingham

All other lines of route will be closed and Rail Replacement Bus services will not be provided.

On October 9 there is no strike action and EMR expects to operate a full service, but warns that there will be a slightly later start up first thing in the morning as a result of the strike action the day before.

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