On both next Saturday, 26 August and the following Friday and Saturday, 1 and 2 September, East Midlands Railway (EMR) train services will be severely disrupted because of strike action by members of the RMT or ASLEF unions.

On each strike day services will only run between 06:30 – 18:30, with the last departures starting between 15:00 and 16:30. This weekend there are a number of major events, including Manchester United v Nottingham Forest and Manchester Pride, so services will be very busy.

Customers should only travel by rail if their journey is absolutely necessary, check the time of their last train before starting journey. Also, other operators will also be affected by the unions’ strike actions.

Saturday, 26 August and Saturday, 2 September

EMR Intercity – one train per hour between:

• Nottingham and London St Pancras
• 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
• Derby and Matlock
• Sheffield and Nottingham
• Leicester and Nottingham (stopping service)

Skegness

• One train every two hours between Nottingham and Skegness – only calling at Grantham, Sleaford, Boston, and Skegness,
• Customers travelling to Skegness must book their journey in advance. If their train is cancelled after they have booked, their ticket will be valid on the service before or after.

There will be no services on all other lines of route and no rail replacement bus services will be provided.

Sunday, 27 August

• Engineering works are taking place on the East Coast Mainline which may have a knock-on effect for East Midland’s customers.

Friday, September 1

• No services will run on any route.

If a train is cancelled or delayed or customers do not travel because of the strike action, they can change their tickets to another date, or return them to their point of purchase for a full refund. No administration fee will be charged.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “We will be significantly reducing our services on Saturday, 26 August and Saturday, 2 September due to industrial action by members of the RMT union.

“While on Friday, September 1, EMR will run no services due to industrial action by ASLEF – the train drivers union.

“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.

“Due to a number of big events on our network including, Manchester United v Nottingham Forest, and Manchester Pride, our services on Bank Holiday Weekend are likely to be very busy – especially on Sunday 27 August, as engineering works are taking place on the East Coast Mainline.

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