They now have to take a long detour or use an unwelcoming, heavily-vandalised bridge south of the station. East Midlands Trains has come up with the idea to give bridge users a free pass which would open the electronic ticket gates - but MPs and councillors are still pressing for the company to abandon its plans and reopen the bridge.The demonstration took place at 5pm and protesters was joined by senior Sheffield

Why do we oppose it?

Sheffield is proud of the station and the region has spent £50 million on the award-winning refurbishment of the station and the immediate vicinity. The resulting refurbishment is described as a world class gateway to the city (In this SYPTE article.)

The footbridge links communities and organisations on both sides of the station. It is one of the few truly integrated transport networks in the area uniting as is does, the tram stop, the station and the Sheffield Interchange. The bridge is particularly important for wheel chair and push chair users as the only alternative bridge is completely inaccessible, so a very large diversion would be required. Go here to see a Sheffield Council photo presentation on the area, including the alternative bridge (pdf document).

The link through the station is also central to the City regeneration strategy as it provides a direct route for future occupants of the massive Park Hill scheme to access the Golden Route into the city centre.

On 3rd September Sheffield City Council voted unanimously on two motions opposing the “gating” scheme. ( Items 7 & 8)

A wide variety of people use the footbridge everyday including
Staff and Students at Castle centre of the Sheffield College
Staff and Students at Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Wild Life Trust
Staff working on the Park Hill development
Staff and pupils at All Saints school and a number of other primary schools in the immediate vicinity

The thousands of people who live in the communities "behind" the station.
All these groups would be prevented from using the award-winning listed building, which the city has spent millions of pounds to refurbish. The bridge is particularly important for wheelchair and pushchair users, as the only alternative bridge is completely inaccessible, so a very large diversion would be required.

East Midlands Trains argue there are no alternatives to installing ticket barriers. For a detailed discussion of the issues

 http://www.rasc-sheffield.com/

Anarchist on The Radio Any Questions? BBC Radio 4 2002 22 May 2009 talking on this subject and no doubt more: