Council may use law to railroad through public access at station

RAIL bosses locked in a row over the public's use of a footbridge as a shortcut to the city centre may be forced to allow pedestrians through.

It follows an outcry after staff tried to enforce rules that block

anyone who does not have a ticket.

East Midlands Trains first announced its plans to install automatic barriers at Sheffield station two years ago and said the "revenue protection" move would stop fare dodgers.

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The company wanted to put the barriers at either end of a footbridge which crosses the platforms and links Sheffield city centre with Park Hill, on the other side of the tracks.

Protesters have persistently argued that the bridge is not only for rail users but also for Park Hill pedestrians walking to and from the city centre.

Earlier this year East Midlands Trains said it was putting plans on hold after Sheffield Council repeatedly refused listed building consent for installation of the barriers.

But it sparked new fury earlier this month when it placed staff at either end of the bridge, stopping pedestrians and only granting access to those with a valid ticket to travel.

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Sheffield Council has consistently opposed the company's stance, and the authority's rights of way officers have now been ordered to try to force through pedestrian access.

Before the election in May Labour Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said a second footbridge should be built before barriers were installed, but the council said that would be a "waste".

The latest problems will be raised by transport spokesman Ian Auckland at a meeting of Sheffield Council tomorrow, where local councillor Pat Midgley will also call for government intervention.

Coun Auckland said yesterday: "The Liberal Democrats believe that as the existing bridge was built using taxpayers' money, local people should have a right to use it.

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"To spend millions more to build a second bridge would simply be a waste, especially when we are facing Labour's national mountain of debt. The council does have some powers around creating public rights of way.

"So I have asked officers to report back on how we can use these to create a compulsory public footpath through the station. This might be difficult but we will use every means possible to try and stand up for local people and prevent them being denied access."

Coun Auckland's announcement was welcomed by Residents Against Station Closure, a protest group which was set up immediately after East Midlands Trains unveiled its plans.

Spokesman Geraldine Roberts said: "The company keeps saying that it has to block access to pedestrians because that is part of its franchise agreement with the Department for Transport.

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"We know that is not the case. What Coun Auckland is doing is

absolutely the right next step as far as we are concerned. As a

campaign group we always wanted the threat removed permanently.

"We have to secure access for the long term, because that route is important to lots of people. If a permanent public footpath can be established then we will have achieved that aim."

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An East Midlands Trains spokesman said it would continue with ticket checks at the station and added: "The ticket checks we are making at Sheffield on trains and at the station are required by the Department for Transport. They are undertaken to help reduce the financial impact of fare evasion on rail passengers and taxpayers, and to protect investment in the rail network.

"If Sheffield City Council puts forward any proposal to the DfT, we would be happy to help address the issue by taking part in any

discussions with both organisations."