Three August Saturdays Hit by EMR Strikes
East Midlands Railway passengers face disruption on three Saturdays in August after the RMT announced 24-hour strikes linked to concerns about the Class 810 Aurora fleet. EMR says Intercity and Connect services will run on a heavily reduced basis, while customers should travel only when essential and check the full journey before leaving. Regional routes are expected to operate normally.
How the August Service Cuts Will Work
- Strike dates: Saturday 1, 8 and 15 August 2026
- Reduced hours: 07:00–19:00
- London–Nottingham: One train per hour
- London–Sheffield: One train per hour
- London–Corby: One train per hour
- Regional services: Planned to run normally
- Replacement buses: None
- Other disruption: Action short of strike on 2–7 and 9–14 August, then from 16 August until further notice
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers says the dispute began after faults were reported on the new Aurora trains. The union claims some failures require a full reset, which can affect communications and safety systems, and wants the trains withdrawn until the problems are resolved. EMR rejects claims that the fleet is unsafe, saying it passed all required tests and met independent regulatory standards.
Because EMR Regional services are expected to run normally, some weekend trips can still go ahead, including journeys to Lincoln, Norwich and Skegness. Visitors could reach Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, Norwich’s medieval centre or the Lincolnshire coast without relying on the reduced London services. Any itinerary involving an Intercity connection may still be disrupted, so each part of the route should be checked separately.
The main problem extends beyond the three strike Saturdays because short-notice changes may continue during the surrounding weeks. Anyone travelling for a flight, event or fixed hotel booking should confirm the first and last available trains before leaving and allow extra time for connections. With no replacement buses planned, missing one of the limited services could leave few realistic options later that day.