Football fans attending the highly anticipated Play off Final at Wembley Stadium on Monday are advised to prepare themselves for extended travel times, long queues, and very busy services.

These inconveniences arise from the imminent commencement of essential engineering works on Saturday, impacting the travel arrangements of ardent supporters of Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley.

Network Rail is to undertake track upgrades on the Midland Mainline, spanning an extensive 16-day period from Saturday, May 27th to Sunday, June 11th. It is worth noting that these disruptions coincide with the Summer half-term period, further warranting preparedness.

To facilitate the work, a condensed timetable will be implemented throughout the week, excluding Sundays. This temporary schedule will consist of one train per hour connecting London St Pancras to Sheffield, excluding the Derby stop.

Similarly, there will be one train per hour operating between London St Pancras and Derby.

Travelers embarking on journeys between Derby and Sheffield are encouraged to use CrossCountry services, which will follow an alternate route. However, bear in mind that this diversion may result in an additional hour added to the overall travel duration.

Sunday, June 4th will see one train per hour departing from Sheffield, via Derby, to London St Pancras. Moreover, between 1400 and 1830 hours, a corresponding frequency of one train per hour will depart from Derby, bound for London St Pancras.

Sunday, June 11th, will maintain the same schedule, accommodating one train per hour from Sheffield, via Derby, to London St Pancras.

Travellers using the Derwent Valley Line are advised that buses shall substitute trains between Derby and Matlock, serving as an interconnection point for train services.

The paramount objective of these crucial upgrades is to augment the Clay Cross and Milford tunnels. The proposed enhancements encompass an overhaul of drainage systems and sleeper replacements. The work will improve safety, reliability,  travel experiences for passenger and freight services using the tunnels.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has communicated additional concerns to its customers. Specifically, industrial action is scheduled on May 31st and June 3rd, wherein members of the ASLEF Union shall strike, leading to the suspension of EMR services on these dates. Consequently, there will be no provision of rail replacement buses. Similarly, on June 2nd, members of the RMT union intend to strike, prompting significant reductions in service frequency. Please consult this resource for comprehensive details regarding these upcoming industrial action dates:

Modifications to EMR Services:

Commencing from May 27th, Monday to Saturday:

• One train per hour departing from London St Pancras to Derby
• One train per hour departing from London St Pancras to Sheffield (excluding Derby stop)
• Rail replacement buses will operate along the Derwent Valley Line, bridging the gap between Derby and Matlock
• Travelers journeying between Derby and Sheffield are advised to utilize CrossCountry services, potentially adding up to one hour to their travel time.

ASLEF strike days:

• No EMR services will be available on May 31st and June 3rd

June 1st:

• Service levels will be significantly reduced

Sunday, June 4th:

• Expect one train per hour departing from Sheffield, via Derby, to London St Pancras
• Additionally, between 1400-1830 hours, one train per hour will depart from Derby, bound for London St Pancras

Sunday, June 11th:

• Similar to previous Sundays, one train per hour will depart from Sheffield, via Derby, to London St Pancras

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We are advising Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday fans travelling Bank Holiday Monday to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journeys.

“Saturday marks the start of a 16 day stretch of engineering works where there will be fewer Intercity services to Derby, Chesterfield and Sheffield, and journey times will be extended.

“Rail replacement buses will be in place on the Derwent Valley Line, between Derby and Matlock, with the exception of the ASLEF Strike days on 31 May and 3 June, where there will be no services.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst Network Rail carries out this essential upgrade of the tracks at both Clay Cross and Milford tunnels.”