Faster journeys and earlier trains from Sheffield-London coming this month in major timetable shake-up

The first train to London St Pancras International will also arrive an hour earlier, at 7.09am, when the changes being introduced by East Midlands Railway take effect from next Sunday, May 16.

The last direct train from London to Sheffield will leave at 11.05pm, rather than 10.20pm as at present, though depending what day you’re travelling on this could take nearly four hours to arrive

And there will be a full weekday timetable after 2pm on Sundays, which the operator describes as a ‘significant improvement’ for both Sheffield and Chesterfield.

East Midlands Railway says the changes being made will provide more seats, quicker journeys and a simpler and ‘more resilient’ timetable, supporting leisure, business and tourist travel.

Examples of new Sheffield-London St Pancras timetable, with the old journey time in brackets, include:

• 04.58 - 07.09 - 2hr 11mins (New earlier train - 1hr earlier in London)• 05.30 - 07.39 - 2hr 9mins (was 2hr 38mins)• 05.56 - 08.08 - 2hr 12mins (was 2hr 27mins)• 06.30 - 08.39 - 2hr 9mins (was 2hr 31mins)• 07.00 - 09.09 - 2hr 9mins (was 2hr 23mins)

Will Rogers, managing director of East Midlands Railway, described the changes, made possible by the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, as ‘an exciting new chapter for train services in the region’.

“It has been an incredible team effort to put this timetable in place, especially during a period so heavily affected by Covid, and that is why we are so proud to be able to launch this new timetable,” he added.

Peter Kennan, chair of Sheffield Chamber's Transport Forum, said: "These improvements are really welcome. Faster and earlier rail services into London are great for business and the doubling in the Sunday afternoon/evening service is really important for students and for weekend trips away.

“Travel has been the last thing on most people's mind but as we now look beyond the pandemic, the changes will bring significant benefits to our local economy, making it easier for visitors to come, stay and enjoy what is happening in Sheffield."