Rail barriers put off until footbridge can be built

Transport Minister Lord Adonis made the announcement after meeting campaigners who have fought the plans for several months, staging

several rallies and protests.

East Midlands Trains, which operates the station, met protesters several times, but argued it must install the barriers to comply with Department of Transport rules.

The company said the main reason for the installation of the barriers was "revenue protection" or stopping people without tickets boarding trains and travelling free.

Members of Residents Against Station Closure contend that barriers would effectively cut off a main pedestrian route in the city, leading to isolation for some residents.

Speaking after the meeting on Monday, Lord Adonis, who recently also scrapped plans for ticket barriers at York station, said he had told East Midlands Trains to abandon its plans.

Protest group chairman Keith Hayman said: "We are very pleased that Lord Adonis has fully recognised the significant role that the existing bridge plays in the daily life of our city.

"This decision is a vindication of all the hard work by the campaign over the last two years. It is also a massive endorsement of active, local democracy. We are pleased that the voice of Sheffield citizens, in their overwhelming support for a fully accessible public footbridge, has been heard.

"The campaign supports the right of rail operators to collect all the fares that are due. We hope that in the spirit of the new agreement East Midlands Trains will take a fresh look at acceptable ways of checking tickets."