East Midlands Railway (EMR) has announced it will cancel hundreds of intercity services on the Midland mainline over the coming weeks due to ongoing performance and reliability problems with its new Class 810 train fleet.
Strike Ballots Called on LNER and Avanti West Coast
The train drivers’ union Aslef has initiated a strike ballot on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) following a breakdown in pay negotiations. Drivers on Avanti West Coast are already voting on potential strike action over pay, with the union also withholding approval for rest-day working, leading to some service cancellations.
Service Reductions and Passenger Impact on EMR
EMR is cancelling roughly 20 fast trains daily that operate between London, Sheffield, and Nottingham.
Other EMR services will run with shortened train formations, causing increased crowding for passengers. The availability of consistent service has been significantly affected, according to operator statements.
Technical and Maintenance Issues with EMR Trains
The new Class 810 bi-mode trains, introduced in 2026 after a three-year delay and previously marketed as Auroras, have suffered from reliability issues. Additionally, Hitachi Rail’s maintenance of the older Class 222 fleet has contributed to operational difficulties for EMR. A Hitachi spokesperson said the company is collaborating with industry partners to implement improvements and support the transition.
Bedford Rail Crash Investigation
Authorities continue investigating a fatal rail accident near Bedford involving one of EMR’s Class 810
trains. A fault in the train’s automatic warning system reportedly caused it to stop on the mainline before another EMR train passed a signal at danger and collided with it.
Official Responses and Statements
Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, acknowledged the disruption, stating: “The performance of the class 810 fleet has fallen below the levels we and our customers expect, and it is necessary to introduce a temporary reduced timetable while we work with the manufacturer, Hitachi Rail, to improve consistency in service.”
Dave Calfe, General Secretary of Aslef, attributed the strike ballots to inadequate pay offers, saying, “The company’s failure
to make a suitable offer is unacceptable and that’s why we are balloting our members for industrial action.” The Department for Transport (DfT) said it approved a fair and affordable pay deal for LNER and encouraged continued constructive engagement with the union.
Travel Disruptions Expected Across Major Routes
Passengers on Britain’s three major north-south intercity rail routes—including the Midland mainline, the London to Scotland line operated by LNER, and Avanti West Coast services—should expect cancellations, crowding due to short-formed trains, and possible strike-related disruptions through the summer months.
EMR apologized for the inconvenience and committed to restoring reliable services, advising passengers to anticipate complications in their
travel plans.
