East Midlands Railway (EMR) will experience significant service disruptions on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31, 2026, due to strike action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). The strike coincides with the UK bank holiday weekend and will affect routes primarily to and from London.
Reduced Timetables and Station Congestion Expected
EMR will operate a substantially reduced timetable to and from London on the strike days. Additionally, all London North Eastern Railway (LNER) trains between London King’s Cross and Peterborough will be suspended on August 30 due to Network Rail’s digital signalling upgrades. This will increase passenger pressure on EMR services
departing from London St Pancras, where demand is expected to outstrip the reduced train capacity. Sheffield and Nottingham stations anticipate heavy passenger loads, with queues likely for boarding.
Strike Causes: Safety Concerns on Class 810 Trains
The RMT initiated the strike based on unresolved safety concerns related to faults on EMR’s new Class 810 trains. Union members have been instructed to refuse to operate these trains if issues persist, including malfunctioning air conditioning, door faults, and non-operational toilets. The RMT demands that any trains exhibiting these defects be withdrawn from service until fully repaired. Discussions involving EMR, the RMT, and the trains’ manufacturer Hitachi have taken place but
have not resolved the dispute, despite six meetings held to date.
Official Comments and Travel Advice
EMR’s customer experience director, Philippa Cresswell, apologized for the service disruption during the bank holiday and emphasized ongoing constructive talks with the RMT. She stated, “We strongly advise customers to only travel to or from London if their journey is essential on Sunday 30 and Monday August 31, and to check their full journey, including first and last trains, before setting out.” RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey affirmed the union’s position, saying, “RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating
properly, they should be taken out of service,” adding, “It is now time for EMR management to act on the safety concerns of our members.”
Passengers should prepare for extensive disruption, delays, cancellations, and crowded platforms over the bank holiday weekend. Network Rail’s digital signalling work on August 30 adds to the operational challenges, further impacting LNER services.
