Two train services cut to speed up London journeys

Timetable changes will allow extra time for overnight maintenance work

A train operator is set to scrap two Sunday services between the East Midlands and London as part of plans to speed up journeys to and from the capital.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said the early morning services - one from Nottingham and the other from Derby - would be axed from 15 December.

The firm said the move would give Network Rail more time to carry out overnight maintenance.

The timetable change will see journey times on 12 services reduced - some by as much as 28 minutes, according to EMR.

Improved reliability hopes

Services set to benefit from faster journey times include those travelling to and from Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.

The trains set to be removed are the 07:00 GMT from Derby and the 07:24 from Nottingham.

Network Rail said the changes meant overnight maintenance could continue for longer, meaning later trains would not be subject to the same speed restrictions.

Mark Budden, route director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: "Like all things, the railway needs to be maintained and improved, and the majority of this work needs to be carried out when trains are not running to keep everyone safe.

"These changes to the timetable are a real testament to the work between EMR and Network Rail.

"As well as faster journeys, it should also mean more reliable services because Network Rail teams will have more time to carry out maintenance on a crucial part of the line."