Expect Travel Disruptions on Sheffield–London Route This Weekend
Scheduled engineering works by Network Rail will lead to a full closure of the Midland Main Line between Bedford and London St Pancras International over the weekend of 24 and 25 May. This disruption affects East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, which will be unable to operate through to London on those dates. All EMR trains will instead terminate at Bedford, requiring passengers to seek alternative routes to reach the capital.
In response, the quickest alternative for those travelling from Sheffield is to take LNER services from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. Because large crowds are expected, LNER has added more seats and arranged extra trains, including one that returns late from London on the night of Saturday 24 May. However, passengers should expect busy conditions and are strongly advised to book seat reservations in advance to avoid overcrowding and standing travel.
The rail closure happens to fall on the same weekend Sheffield United fans are heading to Wembley for the Championship Play-Off Final, with a huge turnout expected in the capital. The disruption has therefore prompted a coordinated response across multiple rail operators to help supporters attend the match. Since EMR can’t take you straight to London that weekend, switching trains at Doncaster is the next best way to get there. The changes also affect other weekend travellers, including those visiting London for leisure, family visits, or connecting flights.
This situation highlights the tension between essential infrastructure upgrades and travel continuity. Though the engineering works are part of a wider plan to modernise the network and support the introduction of new trains, their timing affects both event-goers and casual travellers. On the positive side, LNER and partners including Northern and TransPennine Express have arranged additional services to support movement between Sheffield and Doncaster, helping to preserve rail connectivity despite the closure.
With Blades fans travelling on LNER services from Doncaster and Retford, and Sunderland fans travelling down the East Coast Main Line from the north east, our trains will be extremely busy across the weekend. Make sure you follow our top travel tips to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Passengers planning weekend travel are urged to take practical steps: arrive early at stations to manage potential queues, reserve seats where possible, and consider travelling on Friday 23 or Monday 26 May instead, when services will operate normally. Being aware of crowding, respecting staff guidance, and planning ahead can help minimize disruption during this busy travel period.
