East Midlands Railway Warns of Extremely Busy Services on Sunday for Nottingham Forest Supporters and London Marathon Customers
A significant number of passengers are expected to travel on East Midlands Railway (EMR) services on Sunday, 27 April, due to the FA Cup Semi-Final match between Nottingham Forest and the London Marathon. According to EMR, intercity services will be extremely busy, with customers advised to expect long delays and queues at Nottingham and London St Pancras International.
The West Bridgford Wire reports that due to Network Rail’s engineering work, London St Pancras International Low Level will be closed, and Thameslink services will be diverted to the High-Level platforms. As a result, EMR will only operate one service per hour from Nottingham to London. Customers are likely to experience long delays and queues, and may also be unable to find a seat for part or all of their journey.
Customers travelling from Nottingham are advised to queue from the Queen’s Road entrance, next to the multi-storey car park. Those with reservations are able to join a bespoke queue at London St Pancras International, which should allow them to catch their booked service. A map of St Pancras International has been provided to show customers with reservations where they need to go.
The West Bridgford Wire understands that customers may not be able to board their required service, either before or especially after the football fixture. If the match was to go to extra-time, the number of services back to Nottingham are very limited. Customers holding Advance Purchase tickets can use them on earlier or later services on Sunday to avoid the football rush.
Customers who must travel between Nottingham and London St Pancras on Sunday, 27 April, are advised to travel after 2pm from Nottingham and before 7pm from London. EMR will honour tickets for customers who have tickets to travel to London on Sunday but opt to take their journey on a day either side. Customers should consider whether using the East Coast Main Line from Grantham may provide an easier journey. To help customers use this route, EMR has strengthened services from Nottingham to Grantham.
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "Services will be extremely busy on Sunday, 27 April, due to engineering works, the marathon, and Nottingham Forest fans travelling to the FA Cup Semi-Final. Unfortunately, customers should expect delays, queues, and standing. Customers should know that if the Semi Final was to go to extra-time the number of services back to Nottingham are very limited. We advise those not attending the match to travel after 2pm from Nottingham and before 7pm from London to avoid peak times. We would like to thank customers for their patience during these engineering works and would like to apologise for any inconvenience."
The engineering work taking place in the London St Pancras International area will close some lines, resulting in London St Pancras International Low Level being closed, and Thameslink services being diverted to the High-Level platforms. East Midlands Railway will operate the following services:
- 1 train per hour between London St Pancras International and Sheffield (via Beighton)
- 1 train per hour between London St Pancras International and Nottingham
- 1 train per hour between London St Pancras International and Corby
- 1 train per hour between Kettering and Corby (shuttle service)
The West Bridgford Wire advises customers to plan their journey in advance and allow plenty of time for their trip. Further information can be found on the East Midlands Railway website.
According to the West Bridgford Wire, EMR has strengthened services from Nottingham to Grantham to help customers use this route. Customers are advised to consider whether using the East Coast Main Line from Grantham may provide an easier journey.
The railway company has apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their patience during the engineering works.
For more information visit: https://westbridgfordwire.com
