East Midlands Railway strike planned over Hitachi train concerns

East Midlands Railway (EMR) will operate a significantly reduced timetable on 30 and 31 August due to strike action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). The industrial action is centered on a dispute regarding the safety and reliability of the operator’s new Hitachi-built Class 810 intercity trains.

Union representatives have cited various technical faults, including issues with air-conditioning, doors, and toilets. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey stated that the union is demanding these trains be taken out of service until the specified faults are resolved. EMR, operated by Transport UK, has reported that it is engaged in constructive discussions with both the union and Hitachi Rail to address these concerns.

During the strike, services to and from London St Pancras are expected to be extremely busy, with only one train per hour operating on principal routes. Passengers are advised to travel only if essential and to verify schedules before departing. Additional travel disruption in the Nottinghamshire region is expected due to local bus diversions and scheduled engineering works on the East Coast Main Line.