The RMT Union has declared strike action for East Midlands Railway (EMR) staff on Saturday, August 15, 2026, resulting in widespread service disruption across the network.
Service Reduction Between Sheffield and London
Train frequencies between Sheffield and London St Pancras will be cut to one train per hour on strike day, operating only between 7am and 7pm. All other services outside these hours will be suspended, significantly limiting travel options on this route.
Passenger Guidance and Alternative Travel
An EMR spokesperson advised passengers to verify their full journey details, including first and last trains, prior to travelling on August 15. National Rail has confirmed that holders of pre-booked EMR tickets may
use London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services between Doncaster and London Kings Cross as an alternative.
East Midlands Railway has faced prior service cuts in Sheffield, including carriage reductions on the 6:30am and 7:02pm trains, and cancellations of the daily 2pm, 2:35pm, and 5pm services. Connection failures at Leicester and Kettering have further disrupted schedules. The recent heatwave has also forced trains to operate at reduced speeds, compounding delays.
Passengers should expect cancellations and delays on August 15 with severely limited hourly trains between Sheffield and London during the seven-hour window. Those travelling between Doncaster and London may use LNER
routes from London Kings Cross, which still offer seat reservations unavailable on EMR.
An East Midlands Railway spokesperson said, “There will be a significantly reduced train service to/from London St Pancras with trains starting after 7am and finishing before 7pm only. We advise you to check your full journey, including first and last trains, before travelling on these dates.”
