Rail strikes: Customers warned of significant disruption

EMR is unable to run any services on Friday, 5 April, due to industrial action by the train drivers' union ASLEF.  

ASLEF Union members will also be taking part in an overtime ban between Thursday, 4 and Saturday, 6 April, and between Monday, 8 and Tuesday, 9 April. This will mean the possibility of short notice cancellations and alterations to the normal timetable.

On Saturday, 6 April, EMR will be operating an amended timetable between Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield. This is to better accommodate the number of customers it is expecting to use this route - as strike action will affect other train operating companies that normally operate on it. This will mean a change to the routes normal stopping pattern and customers are advised to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before travelling.

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: "This approach from the ASLEF union means different parts of the network and different train operating companies are affected at different times. Unfortunately, this will mean customers could be impacted by a complicated period of possible delays and disruption.

"Unfortunately we cannot run any services on Friday, 5 April - while our services will also be busy on either side of this day.

"Customers are advised to check our website to understand how their whole journey is affected before setting off and can expect possible disruption or late notice cancellations."

More information regarding the strikes can be found here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/rail-strike 

Service information 

Thursday, 4 April

EMR is expecting to run a normal timetable on Thursday 4 April, however trains are subject to short notice alterations and cancellations.

Friday, 5 April - No service

Members of the ASLEF union will take strike action on EMR services on Friday 5 April. ASLEF represents train drivers and therefore EMR will not be operating any trains. No rail replacement bus services will be provided.

Saturday, 6 April

Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield will be operating with an amended timetable as EMR expect services to be very busy due to strike action affecting other train operating companies. 

EMR services will only call at Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Stockport, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street only. Services will not be calling at Dronfield, Ilkeston, Langley Mill, Widnes, Warrington Central or Liverpool South Parkway. The first and last services will not call at Dore & Totley, Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope, Edale or Chinley or Hazel Grove, or Birchwood.

It is likely customers will face extended journey times and they may not be able to board the service they planned for. Customers should expect queues and longer journey times.

Engineering work will be taking place between Newark Castle / Derby and Crewe. Please check your journey if you are travelling along this route. More information is available here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions/engineering-work-affecting-our-services-newark-castle-derby 

On all other routes EMR is expecting to operate the planned timetable; however, trains are subject to short notice alternations and cancellations.

Sunday, 7 April

EMR will be running a planned timetable.

Engineering work will be taking place between Newark Castle / Derby and Crewe. Customers should check their journey if they are travelling along this route. More information is available here: https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions/engineering-work-affecting-our-services-newark-castle-derby 

Monday, 8 April

EMR is expecting to run a normal timetable on Monday, 8 April however, trains are subject to short notice alterations and cancellations.

Tuesday, 9 April

EMR is expecting to run a normal timetable on Tuesday, 9 April however, trains are subject to short notice alterations and cancellations.