Passengers face rail disruption

Passengers have been offered alternative travel or a ticket refund

East Midlands Trains (EMT) has warned its customers to expect serious disruption to its services on Sunday.

The rail company has blamed a shortage of drivers being available for work.

Passengers have been advised to re-arrange their journeys although a very limited service between Leicester and London will be provided.

EMT has said it is unsure why almost all of its drivers are unavailable on Sunday but presumes it is linked to ongoing pay negotiations.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of East Midlands Trains, said: "We have been in touch with the ASLEF drivers union to make sure they are aware of the situation on Sunday and to ask them for their support in trying to resolve this disappointing situation and to avoid the inevitable disruption for our passengers.

Talks scheduled

"Negotiations with the drivers over this year's pay increase are still ongoing, with a further meeting being held with ASLEF on 11 May.

"We're therefore surprised and disappointed that with negotiations at such an early stage, and with further talks scheduled, we are faced with such circumstances".

Passengers with pre-booked tickets for 10 May can either use their ticket on Saturday or Monday or claim a refund on their unused ticket.

Last week members of the RMT union at East Midlands Trains suspended plans to stage a 24-hour strike in a row over job cuts.

About 700 union members had voted to walk out on 1 May in protest at the rail company's plan to shed 162 jobs.