Rail barrierprotesters' anger over bridge move

PROTESTERS fighting a rail firm’s plan for ticket barriers in Sheffield station have vowed to ignore staff who are attempting to stop people using a pedestrian footbridge.

A row has been raging between train operator East Midlands Trains, which runs the station, and protest group Residents Against Station Closure (RASC) for more than a year.

The company, a subsidiary of public transport giant Stagecoach, claims it needs to install barriers on the bridge as a “revenue protection” measure – stopping people without tickets travelling.

But campaigners have claimed the bridge, which crosses all the platforms at Sheffield Station, is a “vital link” to the Park Hill area of the city, and should be open to the public at all times.

Anger has flared again this week after East Midlands Trains placed staff on the bridge, who would not let people without a ticket cross. Those who forced the issue were given a “caution”.

The chairman of RASC, Keith Hayman, said: “East Midlands Trains’ behaviour is completely outrageous. They have no authority to stop pedestrians crossing the bridge as the station is not a compulsory ticketing area.

“It is East Midlands Trains that should be cautioned for obstruction. We will continue to peacefully assert our right to cross the footbridge. We do not condone abuse of East Midlands Trains staff, neither do we feel that they should abuse the public.”

RASC said it was planning a demonstration at the station on Friday next week at 4.30pm, when leading political figures including Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield will speak.

Sheffield Council is currently exploring the possibility of making the bridge a public right of way. Stagecoach said it was still working with the council to come to an agreement on how to stop people travelling illegally.