Station Barriers—Area Panel meeting June 2008

“EMT will not be able to install gating which precludes access to the tram system, nor should any scheme act as a barrier to anyone with accessibility concerns” Franchise Manager, Dept of Transport.

At a public meeting of the Manor, Castle etc Area Panel on 3rd June 2008, it was obvious that there is a huge amount of opposition to East Midlands Trains proposal to install barriers to close the bridge at the Midland station.

Jake Kelly, Customer Service Director, EMT, asserted there were 2 principles, avoidance of ticketless travel, reduction of crime/anti-social behaviour. Consultants have been appointed to draw up a scheme to install barriers on the passenger bridge. Further consultation is proposed.

The City councillors and MPs all appear to oppose the proposal. SYPTE also has objections because of the threat to integrated transport and the connection to Hallam University tramstop. Local residents lose their safe link with the City and to the shops in the concourse; no similar bridge is currently available and it is the only link to meet accessibility criteria. A considerable amount of public money and creativity is being spent on the emerging neighbourhoods of Park Hill and Norfolk Park and on creating the employment opportunities offered by the new Digital Media Centre. Public funds have contributed to the creation of the public realm around the Station. The SCT supports the preservation of this “gold route” and will continue to take an active role in preserving it as a public right of way. We will keep our members informed of developments.

SCT members may be interested to investigate the effect in other stations such as Cambridge, or to look at the evidence given to the Commons Transport Select Committee by Expert witness, Richard Malins, on the pros and cons of barrier installation. The Committee concluded they…
“..can cause delays and obstructions for passengers and they are not always the best method of protecting rail revenue”