Major rail disruption hits Radio 2 In The Park concertgoers

A lightning strike has caused major disruption to the rail network in the Midlands, affecting festivalgoers attending Radio 2 In The Park in Leicester.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said there had been “multiple points failures” affecting services to and from cities including Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby.

None of its trains are running north or south of Leicester either, the company said.

CrossCountry Trains said some of its services in the region had also been affected.

It came as Kylie Minogue headlined the Radio 2 event in Leicester’s Victoria Park on Sunday evening.

Organisers posted on social media: “For those of you with us at #R2InThePark, due to multiple points failures, there are no trains on the Midland mainland running north and south from Leicester station.

“Please consider alternative transport if you travelled by train.”

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EMR said in a statement: “There has been multiple points failures at Trent South Junction and Trent East Junction, following a lightning strike.

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“This is currently affecting all services that go over both junctions on the following routes: Sheffield/Nottingham/London St Pancras and the Nottingham/Derby/Matlock routes.

“At present Network Rail have fault teams [on] site, they are currently trying to restore some of the points to allow trains to move in the area. They estimate that there will be disruption for the rest of the evening.”

The operator said tickets with Sunday’s date would be valid for travel on Monday 18 September.

It added: “If you do source your own transport to get home this evening, please ensure to get a receipt so we can reimburse you.”

‘Very angry people’

EMR also said it had sourced a “limited number” of replacement buses between Derby and Nottingham, as well as between Nottingham and Loughborough.

One passenger wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “EMR train from London St Pancras to Sheffield. Stuck for an hour and a half at Bedford then Wellingborough. Only one functioning toilet on the train. Very angry people”.

Another said: “London- Derby. Been sat at Leicester station for 1hr 30mins. We know nothing – not one member of staff has walked through the train.”

Leicestershire Police said: “We are advising all those intending to travel by East Midlands Railway from Leicester Station this evening to speak to station staff for advice on alternative travel options.”

Leicester City Council urged concertgoers to use alternative transport and said there was a dedicated taxi pick up on University Road, close to Victoria Park.

Other stars who performed at the Radio 2 event on Sunday included Rick Astley, Jessie Ware, Lemar and The Pretenders.

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