East Midlands Railway (EMR) has announced that it will reintroduce direct services between Matlock and Nottingham throughout weekdays and on Saturdays next month.

The changes are part of the next timetable revision, and will take place on Sunday 21 May.

East Midlands Railway will amend the calling pattern of the services slightly, explaining that this will “provide a robust level of service” for passengers.

During off-peak hours, the reintroduced services will call at Attenborough and Spondon in alternate hours, with every train calling at these stations in the peak-hour services.

This will remove the need for rail replacement services for Spondon.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “EMR will be reintroducing direct services between Matlock and Nottingham throughout the day and on Saturdays as part of the timetable change next month.

“This will mean 53 direct services being reintroduced.

“A lot of work has taken place over the last year to ensure services can be reintroduced reliably and we hope our customers, as well as the businesses along the route, will benefit from their return.”

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We were delighted with the announcement from EMR earlier this year that the full service was to be reinstated as we know its withdrawal had a major impact on the area, our residents, businesses and visitors.

“The local tourism trade and therefore our local economy will get a welcome boost from the service fully returning which can only be good news, and it will be equally welcomed by people who want to use it for getting to work, school or college.”