Customers advised to allow extra time for journeys and check for travel updates

Train company plans in place to help prepare for severe weather conditions

East Midlands Trains today issued general advice for rail passengers to help them plan their travel during times of severe winter weather.

Customers were advised to allow extra time to travel to and from stations during periods of severe weather, such as snow and freezing temperatures.

Passengers are also being reminded of the ways they can get the most up-to-date travel information to allow them to plan their rail journeys.

Every winter, road and rail transport is challenged by severe weather that can affect customers’ travel and East Midlands Trains has a series of measures in place to prepare for the difficult conditions. This includes:

Putting extra staff on standby to help deal with the weather conditions and provide information to passengers.
Clearing and gritting platforms and the approaches to stations.

Communicating possible disruption to passengers by customer information screens and posters at stations, via a dedicated helpline as well as through the National Rail and East Midlands Trains websites

A preventative fleet maintenance programme to help to mitigate the effects of winter weather on trains
Working closely with Network Rail, which manages the track infrastructure

East Midlands Trains also reminded passengers of the best way to get the most up to date information during wintry conditions:
Check the East Midlands Trains Website at www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk, which provides service updates

Visit the National Rail Enquiries(NRE)  website at www.nationalrail.co.uk/ which includes all information about current disruption (www.nationalrail.co.uk/disruption), live departure boards of train services and journey planners

Call NRE’s automated train tracker service on 0871 200 49 50, which will give passengers up-to-date information about their services

Subscribe to NRE Twitter updates at @nationalrailenq

David Horne, East Midlands Trains Customer Service Director, said: “Severe weather, such as snow and ice, causes disruption for all forms of transport, not just the railways. But we put in a lot of hard work along with our colleagues at Network Rail to ensure we are prepared. These plans are designed so we can do as much as we possibly can to keep our trains moving and our passengers updated.

“As we get into the winter season, passengers can also help ensure they have as smooth a journey as possible by allowing extra time to get to and from the station, taking care at stations and on platforms and checking for updates in advance of travel.”