Rail Line to Be Hit by Strikes Over Long Weekend

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

East Midlands Railway services will be severely disrupted over the Bank Holiday weekend due to strikes by RMT union members protesting safety issues on Class 810 trains, combined with engineering work on the East Coast Main Line. This will lead to reduced train schedules, crowded stations, and no London North Eastern Railway services between London King’s Cross and Peterborough tomorrow, forcing passengers to plan carefully and expect delays.

Rail services operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR) are set to face significant disruption over the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend due to planned strikes by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). The union has announced industrial action for tomorrow and on Bank Holiday Monday, affecting services primarily to and from London.

EMR has confirmed it will operate a substantially reduced timetable on both strike days and has urged passengers to travel only if necessary. Customers are advised to check service updates prior to their journeys. The strike action coincides with planned engineering work on the East Coast Main Line, as Network Rail undertakes digital signalling upgrades. This will result in no London North Eastern Railway (LNER) trains running between London King’s Cross and Peterborough tomorrow, further limiting travel options.

As a consequence, stations including London St Pancras, Sheffield, and Nottingham are expected to experience heavy crowds and long queues. EMR anticipates that particular services between London and the East Midlands will be especially busy despite the reduced number of trains available.

The RMT has cited ongoing safety concerns as the basis for the strikes. Its members have been ordered to refuse duties on the Class 810 trains if certain faults persist. These issues reportedly include malfunctioning air conditioning systems, door faults, and toilets that are not operational. The union maintains that these defects pose risks to both workers and passengers.

EMR responded by stating it continues to engage in “constructive discussions” with the RMT, having held six meetings so far. The operator also indicated ongoing efforts to collaborate with Hitachi, the manufacturer of the Class 810 fleet, to address the technical problems raised by the union.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, emphasized the importance of continued union involvement in discussions with both EMR and Hitachi, committing to sustained dialogue aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the trains.

Passengers planning to travel over the Bank Holiday weekend are advised to prepare for disruptions and to monitor official updates regarding service availability.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.