- Lightning Strike Disrupts Rail Network in the Midlands
- Radio 2 In The Park Concertgoers Affected by Rail Disruptions
- East Midlands Railway’s Response and Alternative Travel Options
Additionally, train services from Sheffield, Nottingham, and Derby have been impacted. The East Midlands Railway expects the problems to persist throughout the remainder of Sunday evening.
The rail network in the Midlands has been severely disrupted by a lightning strike, affecting concertgoers attending Radio 2 In The Park in Leicester.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) reported “multiple points failures” affecting services to and from Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby.
The company stated that no trains are operating north or south of Leicester.
CrossCountry Trains stated that some of its regional services were also affected.
Sunday evening at Leicester’s Victoria Park, Kylie Minogue headlined the Radio 2 concert.
Due to multiple point failures, no trains are operating north or south from Leicester station on the Midland mainland.
If you travel by train, you should contemplate alternate modes of transportation.
Lightning has caused multiple point failures at Trent South Junction and Trent East Junction, according to a statement from EMR.
“This is currently impacting all services that pass through both junctions on the Sheffield/Nottingham/London St Pancras and Nottingham/Derby/Matlock routes.”
“At this time, Network Rail fault teams are attempting to restore some of the points to enable trains to move through the area. They anticipate disturbances for the remainder of the evening.”
The operator stated that Sunday-dated tickets would be valid for travel on September 18th.
It continued, “If you arrange your transport to get home tonight, please obtain a receipt so we can reimburse you.”
Extremely angry people
EMR also stated that it had located a “limited number” of replacement buses between Derby and Nottingham and between Nottingham and Loughborough.
“EMR train from London St Pancras to Sheffield,” a passenger wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Stuck for one and a half hours between Bedford and Wellingborough. There is only one functional restroom onboard. Extremely angry individuals”
Someone else stated, “London – Derby. Been at Leicester station for 1 hour and thirty minutes. We know nothing – not a single employee has entered the train.”
Leicestershire Police stated, “We advise all passengers planning to board the East Midlands Railway from Leicester Station this evening to speak with station personnel for alternative travel options.”
The Leicester City Council exhorted concertgoers to use alternative modes of transport and stated that there was a taxi stand on University Road near Victoria Park.
Sunday’s Radio 2 event also featured performances by Rick Astley, Jessie Ware, Lemar, and The Pretenders.
