Due to RMT action next week, East Midlands Railway has said that its train services are expected to be busier and less frequent than normal.

The RMT and ASLEF trade unions are taking the action as part of their ongoing campaign for a pay rise that keeps pace with inflation and against detrimental changes to job security and working conditions.

RMT will strike on Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 July, and EMR will reduce its service to just one train per hour on many of its routes. Trains will only run between 07:30 and 18:30, with the last trains departing between 15:00 and 16:30.

EMR is recommending that people only travel by rail during the strike if their journey is essential. RMT is striking on most other train operators on the same day, so services will be extremely limited across the country.

From Monday 17 until Saturday 22 July, ASLEF members will be refusing to work overtime. Because EMR relies on drivers working extra hours, it will have to cancel trains when there is no driver available. This could happen at short notice, so the company is advising passengers to check before they travel.

RMT will take further strike action on 29 July, and EMR states that it will confirm arrangements for this shortly.

The operator is advising passengers to Skegness to book their journey in advance, and that if their booked train is cancelled they will be able to use their ticket on the service before or after.

Where trains are cancelled or delayed, or where people choose not to travel due to strike action, they will be able to change their ticket to another date, or can obtain a full refund at their point of purchase.

Services on Thursday 20 July

Passengers are advised to only travel if essential. EMR services will operate between 07:30 and 18:30 only.

EMR Intercity

• one train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras
• one train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras

EMR Connect

• one train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras

EMR Regional

• one train per hour between Derby and Nottingham
• one train per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• one train per hour between Leicester and Lincoln (stopping service)
• one train per hour between Mansfield Woodhouse and Nottingham
• two-hourly service between Nottingham and Skegness, calling only at Grantham, Sleaford and Boston

All other lines will be closed and no rail replacement bus services will be provided.

Services on Saturday 22 July

Customers are advised to only travel if essential. EMR services will operate between 07:30 and 18:30 only.

EMR Intercity

• one train per hour between Nottingham and London St Pancras
• one train per hour between Sheffield and London St Pancras

EMR Connect

• one train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras

EMR Regional

• one train per hour between Derby and Nottingham
• one train per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• one train per hour between Leicester and Nottingham
• two-hourly service between Nottingham and Skegness, calling only calling at Grantham, Sleaford and Boston

All other lines will be closed and no rail replacement bus services will be provided.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We will be significantly reducing our services on Thursday and Saturday due to the ongoing strike organised by the RMT Union.

“Also between Monday, 17 July, and Saturday, 22 July, there will also be a number of train cancellations due to action short of a strike by the ASLEF union – customers should be aware services can be cancelled as late as 22:00 the day before.

“Due to this, we strongly advise customers to check if their train is running before setting off and consider rail travel only if absolutely necessary during the strike days.

“It is recommended that customers check the departure time of their last train before embarking on their journey and familiarise themselves with the overall impact of the strike on their entire route.

“For detailed guidance and daily travel updates, please visit our website.”