East Midlands Railway (EMR) has confirmed that it will run a reduced service on Saturday, March 18, due to rail strikes and engineering works.

A press release detailing how services will be affected reads as follows:

EMR services will only operate between 0730 and 1830 and customers are asked to only travel by rail if absolutely necesssary.

If customers need to travel, they are asked to plan ahead and leave extra time for their journey.

On Saturday, 18 March, Network Rail is undertaking vital engineering works between Leicester and Kettering, closing all lines. This will mean a reduced Intercity train service will operate between Nottingham and Leicester, and Sheffield and Leicester.

Between London St Pancras International and Kettering, a reduced Intercity train service will operate. A rail replacement bus service will run between Leicester and Kettering, also serving Market Harborough.

In addition to the above, also on Saturday (18), a reduced EMR Connect service will operate between Corby and London St Pancras International.

EMR will also be operating a full service between Nottingham, Derby and Uttoxeter to enable customers to travel to/from Uttoxeter for the Midlands Grand National, operating until 23:30 on Saturday.

Strike action will affect other routes across the country. Customers are advised to check their full journey before travelling.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for EMR, said: “We are advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary on days affected by industrial action.

“Customers are also strongly advised to check when the time of their last train is before setting off and understand how the strike action affects their whole journey – especially taking into consideration the added impact of engineering works on Saturday.”

Affected services

Saturday, 18 March

EMR Services will operate between 0730 and 1830 only.

EMR Intercity

• One train per hour between Nottingham and Leicester
• One train per hour between Sheffield and Leicester
• One train per hour between Kettering and London St Pancras

EMR Connect

• One train per hour between Corby and London St Pancras

EMR Regional

• One train per hour between Derby and Matlock
• One train per hour between Nottingham and Uttoxeter
• One train per hour between Sheffield and Nottingham
• One train per hour between Leicester and Lincoln
• One train per hour between Mansfield Woodhouse and Nottingham
• One train per hour between Grantham and Nottingham

EMR will also be operating a full service between Nottingham and Uttoxeter to enable customers to travel to/from Uttoxeter for the Midlands Grand National, operating until 2330.