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The RMT union, representing railway employees, has announced forthcoming strike action by its East Midlands Railway (EMR) members due to unresolved and escalating safety concerns raised about the company. This dispute has been ongoing since April, linked to the introduction of the Hitachi Rail Class 810 fleet, known as Aurora, which the union claims has exhibited numerous faults. The planned strikes are scheduled for three consecutive Saturdays, beginning on 1 August.
EMR has publicly denied any allegations that the Class 810 trains fail to meet safety standards, emphasizing that the fleet underwent comprehensive testing before entering passenger service in December, following a three-year delay. However, the operator has acknowledged ongoing issues with the reliability and maintenance of both the new 810s and the older Class 222 units, affecting various onboard systems such as toilets, air conditioning, and catering facilities. Additional maintenance support has also been required for the Class 222 trains to cope with increased operational demands.
The RMT has expressed serious concerns that EMR has been deploying trains likely to fail safety protocols, sometimes necessitating a full system reset that temporarily disables critical safety and communication equipment. An operational briefing reviewed by the BBC details how this “Aux Off / Aux On” reset procedure, lasting around 20 minutes, causes the loss of important safety functions, raising the risk of uncontrolled evacuations and hampered communication between the train driver and signal operators. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey criticized EMR for issuing safety notices without consulting or negotiating with union representatives, who advocate for the employees most exposed to risk. He called for the immediate removal of these faulty trains from service until their safety can be assured.
EMR maintains that the Class 810 fleet met all rigorous safety and performance standards when introduced and is actively collaborating with Hitachi Rail to resolve performance issues quickly. The company plans a controlled continuation of the Aurora fleet rollout over the remainder of this year and into 2027. Hitachi Rail reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the deployment of the Class 810 trains, noting that over a third of the fleet has been delivered since December 2025. They are investing in additional testing at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to facilitate the smooth introduction and delivery of the new trains
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