Because of industrial action by members of the RMT and ASLEF unions, there will be a significant reduction in East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) services at the end of next week.

On Friday, 12th May, all East Midlands Railway services will be cancelled because of industrial action by ASLEF members, which specifically affects train drivers and prevents East Midlands Railway from operating any trains during the action. The strikes will also affect other train operating companies and their services nationwide.

On Saturday, 13th May, there will be significantly fewer services. Trains will only run between 0700 and 1900, with the last departures starting between 1500 and 1630. There will be one train per hour on the following routes:

EMR Intercity;

• Between Nottingham and London St Pancras
• Between Sheffield and London St Pancras

EMR?Connect:

• Between Corby and London St Pancras

EMR Regional:

• Between Derby and Matlock
• Between Derby and Nottingham
• Between Sheffield and Nottingham
• Between Leicester and Lincoln (Ssopping service)
• Between Mansfield Woodhouse and Nottingham
• Between Nottingham and Grantham

All other East Midlands Railway services will be cancelled and there will be no rail-replacement bus services.

Rail unions are planning more strikes for the end of May and early June, and services may also be affected by an overtime ban between Monday, 15th May and Saturday, 20th May.

Anyone intending to travel next weekend should check the time of their first and last return trains before they travel. Journey planners will be updated online later today, Saturday, 6th May.

As trike action will affect other routes across the country, customers should check their full journey before travelling, travel if only absolutely necessary, and understand how their return trip is affected, especially if they are considering attending an event – such as a sporting fixture or Eurovision.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “Unfortunately, we will be unable to run any services next Friday and only a limited number on Saturday, 13 May.

“On Saturday, we are advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary.

“Customers are also strongly advised to check when the time of their last train is before setting off and understand how the strike action affects their whole journey.”