East Midlands Railway Faces Strikes Over New Fleet Safety Concerns
Industrial action looms as union disputes reliability and safety standards of Class 810 trains.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Staff at East Midlands Railway (EMR) will initiate strike action on August 1, 8, and 15, escalating a dispute centered on the safety and operational integrity of the new Class 810 'Aurora' fleet.
The RMT union claims the new 810 fleet is prone to failure, potentially requiring a full system reset that would leave trains without active safety systems. Furthermore, the union asserts these trains suffer critical communication breakdowns between drivers, dispatchers, and trackside personnel.
East Midlands Railway, however, maintains that any suggestion the trains do not meet required safety standards is incorrect. Eddie Dempsey stated, "Despite numerous attempts to resolve the dispute through talks EMR will not remove the 810s from service therefore the strikes will go ahead, and we remain available for further talks."
The ongoing issues with the 810 fleet prompted Hitachi Rail to invest in additional testing activity at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre. This investment aims to improve the fleet's introduction, a direct response to the technical challenges associated with new rolling stock deployments.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the broader landscape of rail safety has faced intense scrutiny, particularly after a collision on June 19. That incident resulted in the death of the driver and injuries to over 150 people, intensifying public and political pressure on rail operators to ensure the highest safety protocols.
Amidst these operational and industrial challenges, East Midlands Railway managing director Will Rogers is reportedly leaving the company. This leadership change occurs as the company navigates significant stakeholder pressure from both its workforce and the travelling public.
The RMT union's claims regarding the 810 fleet's operational integrity include a loss of communication capabilities. These concerns remain central to the dispute, with the union asserting a fleet of trains is not "operating properly," directly challenging EMR's assurances.
operating properly
The strikes represent a significant escalation, with the union's stance firmly rooted in its assessment of the new fleet's deficiencies. The unresolved conflict over the Class 810 fleet's safety standards ensures continued uncertainty for East Midlands Railway passengers in the coming weeks.