Call to stop rail ticket barrier

[Mojo]

From BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7922848.stm

The government could be asked to step in to prevent plans for controversial ticket barriers at Sheffield station.

The proposal by East Midlands Trains would lead to the closure of a pedestrian footbridge which links homes behind the station to the city centre.

People living nearby have formed a campaign group and the city council is also opposed to the plans.

A motion will be put before a meeting of the full council calling for government intervention.

East Midlands Trains, which manages the station, said the barriers were needed to combat fare evasion.

'Links communities'

The motion, being put forward by councillor Ian Auckland, is calling for a delegation from the council to meet Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.

He said: "Given the level of public opposition, the government should intervene and rule out the installation of barriers at Sheffield station."

Opposition to the plans is centred on the footbridge, which residents say is an important resource linking communities and organisations on both sides of the station.

East Midlands Trains said it had a "strong desire to ensure that every passenger has their ticket checked".

In an earlier statement, the company said: "One of the most effective ways of achieving this is through the installation of ticket barriers."

A spokesman said the company was aware of concerns over the plans and was working with stakeholders to come up with a solution.

 

[Mintona]

If that bridge was only for the platforms it would work. But it goes to the tram stop and beyond, so barriering it off would be useless. Maybe a solution such as the one at Reading could work?

 

[gordonthemoron]

If that bridge was only for the platforms it would work. But it goes to the tram stop and beyond, so barriering it off would be useless. Maybe a solution such as the one at Reading could work?

What have they done at Reading?

BTW, EMT are going to do the same thing with Barriers at Nottingham. Many years ago, there was another footbridge over Nottingham station which had no platform access and was a public right of way, this was demolished and pedestrians had to use the station bridge instead (which may now be a public right of way).

Could not Sheffield city council make their station bridge a public right of way?

 

[Mojo]

At Reading, there are two separate gatelines - the main one on the concourse plus another smaller one at the other end, on the bridge. There is then a glass screen right the way along the bridge. The only problem with this is that the lifts from the platform tale you up onto the 'unpaid' side.

At Guildford there is a modified PerTIS which issues free tickets allowing passengers to enter the station and pass through - I think this is a legacy agreement by which the council agreed to help reconstruct something in return for access for the public over the station footbridge.

 

[Techniquest]

If that bridge was only for the platforms it would work. But it goes to the tram stop and beyond, so barriering it off would be useless. Maybe a solution such as the one at Reading could work?

Agreed. If EMT insist on barriering Sheffield, they should fork out for an alternative right of way. Underpass, overbridge, whatever it might be.

Can't see where they plan to install the barriers at Sheffield, not really any sensible parts I can think of without major costs or risks of overcrowding the concourse.

 

[me123]

Agreed. If EMT insist on barriering Sheffield, they should fork out for an alternative right of way. Underpass, overbridge, whatever it might be.

I support carriers, but I would definitely look into providing an alternative route for non rail passengers.

That said, we do have to remember that this isn't a public thoroughfare, it's railway property and that they can do what they like with it. But it's nice to be nice, and I'm sure people will be grateful if they worked with locals to get an alternative link in place.

 

[Techniquest]

If EMT put them up to a massive expense (which barriers are, ask FGW about their barriers on the footbridge at Paddington for example...) and stop people passing through as they will have done for much longer than EMT have been about, people will remember who it is that stopped them using the footbridge and avoid travelling with them. Even if only temporary, you don't forget who angers you. I know I don't.