East Midlands Trains want to install gates at Sheffield Station. The gates would be in place so that East Midlands Trains could ensure that passengers were carrying a valid ticket, we feel that restricting access to the footbridge will have a negative effect on the people of Sheffield.

The footbridge at Sheffield Station not only serves rail and Supertram links but provides a safe walkway from the Park Hill and Norfolk Park areas of the city into Sheffield City Centre.

East Midlands Trains are holding ’stakeholder meetings’ with community representatives to see how they can reduce ticketless travel whilst still addressing the needs of people who use the walkway. East Midlands Trains have said that they will hold further talks before making a decision on the barriers. They have invited rail users and residents to give feedback on the proposals by emailing  getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk

It seems ridiculous to me that they should consider this proposal considering that it is a key pedestrian route into the city centre from the Park Hill side. Not to mention the fact that it would also stop all Sheffielders greeting people all trains on the platform.

If you haven’t already, then it may help to sign this petition
 http://www.forms.sheffield.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=YVeez18G3LQ and give your view.