East Midlands Railway (EMR) is urging customers considering using its services to attend football fixtures or the Eurovision final to check how their trip is affected by rail strikes this week.

The company which operates all of the trains that call at Hucknall station has confirmed that services will be significantly reduced and impacted this week due to industrial action by members of the RMT and ASLEF unions. 

There will be no services on Friday (12 May) as members from union ASLEF will take industrial action. This strike action specifically affects train drivers and therefore EMR will be unable to operate any trains during the action.

The strikes will also affect other train operating companies and their services across the country.

On Saturday (13 May) EMR will be operating a significantly reduced service with trains only running between 0700 - 1900 - with the last departures starting between 1500 and 1630.

Therefore, customers should understand how their train home could be affected - especially if they are considering attending an event - such as a sporting fixture or Eurovision. 

However, customers are being advised to travel by rail only if absolutely necessary and should be aware that strike action will affect other routes across the country with very limited services running across the whole rail network.

Customers should also ensure they check their full journey before traveling and are strongly advised to check the EMR website, information in stations, and social media for the latest advice and information.

EMR is expecting to run a normal timetable next week which covers the period ASLEF has withdrawn non-contractual overtime.

However, trains may be subject to short notice alterations and cancellations. Journey planners will be updated online tomorrow (Wednesday 10 May) and customers are advised to check these before they travel.

More rail strikes are also planned for the end of the month and early June. 

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: "Customers who are considering to use [sic] rail to attend football fixtures or the Eurovision final later this week are 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.

"Unfortunately, we will be unable to run any services on Friday and only a limited number on Saturday - where we are advising customers to plan ahead and only travel by rail if absolutely necessary."