Tuesday 15 December 2009

Seasons Greetings from the Border Agency



This card gets my vote for the most inappropriate of the season- unless you dear readers, can show me something worse! I wonder if anyone at the Borders Agency realises that the baby Jesus was a refugee, fleeing from the murdering dictator Herod. The line that really gets me is "We have a tougher enforcement regime within the UK deporting a record number of foreign National prisoners". If Mary, Joseph and Jesus came to seek sanctuary today they would most likely be locked up in Yarlswood for several months and then booted back to Palestine. Talking of Yarlswood, last week Santa tried to deliver presents to the many children that are currently locked up there. Instead of going down the chimney he rang in advance and knocked on the front door. Unfortunately they would not let him in, and called the police instead as they thought Santa was a security risk! Read the full story here. So here's wishing everybody at the Border Agency a very happy Christmas, and hoping that some of this "peace and goodwill to all" may be catching.

Friday 4 December 2009

Does the Penalty Fares Scheme mean we can't use the Footbridge?..........NO!



The next RASC meeting is this Monday 7.12.09 at 7pm at Victoria Methodist Church, Stafford Road. Please see below for a round up of the press coverage and interesting article on the new Penalty Fares Scheme.


Does the Penalty Fares Scheme mean we can't use the Footbridge?..........NO!

The Penalty Fares Scheme which will come into effect at Sheffield Station on 7th December will allow Ticket Inspectors to charge a penalty fare to passengers travelling on or alighting from trains operated by East Midlands Trains. The other Operators at the station, Northern Rail, Cross Country Trains and First Trans Pennine Group, are not involved in this scheme.
Ticket Inspectors are able to check tickets of passengers travelling on trains operated by other companies but they cannot charge them a penalty fare.
EMT cannot use this scheme to block access to the footbridge for people passing through the station as, in the Department for Transport Regulations (4.10) on Penalty Fare Schemes , people are only required to have a ticket if they are in a Compulsory Ticket Area. (CTA) There are no CTAs at Sheffield Station and in an email response to a recent enquiry, East Midlands Trains confirmed " No stations within the East Midlands scheme will be designated a CTA"

RASC members will be monitoring what happens at the station during rush hours when this new scheme is introduced. Do continue to inform us if EMT make your passage across the bridge difficult.


Star Poll.

77% thought the "Councillors were right to throw out the ticket barrier plans". 23% thought they were wrong.


In case you missed the Press coverage

We have had lots of publicity and I have even been interviewed about it for a documentary on Japanese TV! Here is some of the coverage. We will treasure the Star front page, Victory for Democracy!


http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Victory-for-democracy.5850813.jp


http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/Station-barriers-plans-demo.5824685.jp


http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Station-barriers-plans-demo.5824685.jp


http://www.sheffieldlibdems.org.uk/news/000347/sheffield_scores_victory_in_station_barrier_battle.html


http://www.labourmatters.com/sheffield-central-labour/station-barrier-blow-a-victory-for-the-people-of-sheffield/


http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sheffield/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8370000/8370370.stm


http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Controversial-plan-for-station-ticket.5838035.jp


http://www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/archives/news/2009/1123stationgatesspeechcreasy.htm


http://www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/archives/news/2009/1122stationgates.htm



.

Monday 23 November 2009

Victory!

In case you haven't yet heard the news, the Planning Board today unanimously rejected East Midlands Trains proposal to install barriers at the station. Further more , EMT were advised that they shouldn't bother appealing against this decision. I think a celebratory drink is in order! Thank you everyone who has played a part in this campaign.Together we have won a victory for common sense and ordinary Sheffielders over the money grabbing corporate interests of EMT who want to privatise our public space.

We have won this battle, but the war may not be over. EMT are threatening to continue with the "human barriers". RASC will not stop campaigning until EMT stop preventing people from crossing the bridge. The next meeting of RASC will be at Victoria Methodist Church, Stafford Road, on Monday December 7th at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8374527.stm

Saturday 14 November 2009

Planning Board Meeting

The Planning Board will be meeting on Monday November 23rd at 2pm to discuss East Midlands Trains plans to install barriers at the station and prevent pedestrians walking through.Residents Against Station Closure will be meeting outside at 1.15pm. Please bring banners and anything that will make a loud noise.There will be speeches from many of the key objectors to the plans, and you can then attend the meeting and support our speakers. The Council officers have recommended rejecting EMT's proposals- you can see the documents regarding this here.
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/council-meetings/planningboards/citycentresouthandeast/agendas-2009/agenda-23rd-november-2009

However, this means we have won a battle, not the war! We have to keep the pressure on to ensure we keep our safe accessible route to the city centre.

Support the Survival Pact

President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives recently said that a weak deal at the climate change talks in Copenhagen next month could mean the end of his country. Literal extinction for an entire nation.

Climate change is causing the seas to rise and cover his islands -- in Africa, Southeast Asia and elsewhere in the world, it's threatening the survival of whole nations, cities, and villages. Please support President Nasheed and people in the most vulnerable countries around the world by signing the Survival Pact.

I signed -- will you?

Click here: http://350.org/survival-pact

Thursday 29 October 2009

Copenhagen Kids


This video speaks for itself! Thank you Not Stupid!

Wednesday 21 October 2009

UKIP and BNP deny climate change

Credit where credit is due- am very pleased to see my MEP Linda McAvan standing up to the absolute nonsense preached by Geoffrey Bloom of UKIP and Nick Griffin of the BNP in the Euro Parliament.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lLbAeDEdo&NR=1
See what Jim Jay said about it here
http://jimjay.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Rasc Objection

Here is the objection to the barriers sent on behalf of Residents against station closure. Although the deadline has now been reached you can still send your own objection. We still await the date of the Planning Board, when we want as many people as possible to come and demonstrate outside and then attend the meeting. There have been some great objections, and if you've got several days to spare you can read them all on the Council website- there are well over 1000. Noteable ones are from SYPTE, Sheffield College, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind, Sheffield Pensioners Action Group, Civic Trust, Howells Solicitors, Equal Rights, Manor and Castle Development Trust, Friends of Sheaf Valley Park, Victoria Methodist Church, all the Sheffield MP's and leaders of political parties on the Council. With this sort of opposition I don't see how the application can be passed. Bring on the Planning Board!

Residents Against Station Closure (RASC)/ Objection to Application 09/02887/LBC .
East Midlands Trains Application to erect barriers and associated equipment at Sheffield Station 18.10.09.

Introduction
Residents Against Station Closure (RASC), is a Sheffield residents and citizens campaign with wide representation and involvement of individuals and organisations across our city.
It was set up in May 2008 to fight East Midlands Trains plan to close the footbridge by installing barriers at the front and rear of Sheffield station.
Since then there has been a popular and unanimous objection to the loss of access and more than 4000 people have signed petitions voicing their opposition.
We emphasise that we are in favour of people paying for travelling on the railways and are against fare evasion. But we argue in the case of Sheffield there are more appropriate ways of achieving this objective.
One standard solution does not fit all situations, especially when in our case barriers would be at either end of a bridge that is not only used by rail passengers but by large numbers of the general public , moving between the city centre, the Super Tram and the communities around the station.

Our grounds for objection are:
1“Improvements”
· East Midlands Trains argue in their application that, 3.0 “The main thrust behind the project is the T.O.C.s desire to improve the existing booking hall and ticketing facilities”. They also say, “The works…… have been design(ed) to …..reflect the historic character of the existing building”.
· We would argue that far from improving the booking hall and the character of the building, their proposals would have a significant negative impact by introducing barriers, screens, video and other materials that would detract from the fabric and nature of the building.
· Their proposals would also have a serious adverse impact on space and circulation within the building, especially the main concourse area. These affects would detract from the everyday use and appreciation of the building by large numbers of people. This is particularly important given that the sympathetic reshaping at Sheffield by The City Council, Network rail and SYPTE, has been on the basis of it being an open station, in the spirit of many major station hubs in Europe.

2.An inaccurate and misleading application
· The application is factually incorrect and misleading. Their description of the “Existing Situation” covered under section 2 of their application stops at 1956. It therefore disregards the major environmental improvements which were implemented at massive public expense and with the full cooperation of Midland Mainline, the previous operators at the station. (See Note 1)
· In section 3.0 in their application, they state’ “E.M.T. also have an obligation to install ATGs, at Sheffield Station under their franchise agreement” This is not the case. The Franchise document allows them the option to meet their obligation to revenue protection at Derby, St Pancras and Sheffield stations, if they
a) Operate staffed ticket barriers at those locations during the Peak, or
b) provide reasonable additional revenue protection measures on trains serving those stations *(note 2)
They were asked by the Working Group in November 2008, given the hugely detrimental affect of their proposal on the City, to assess alternative approaches to revenue protection. They refused to do so.

· Also in section 3 - page 7, Pedestrian Access, they state, “ Lift access is available via a subway further down the platforms” No such subway exists at Sheffield Station.
· Fig. 4 page 4 and Fig.5 page 5 both say they are, “View taken from stairwell to platforms”. They are not. They are views from the stair well to the main concourse.
We believe much of this application has been created by individuals who have had little or no contact with Sheffield. It lacks any sense of ‘local knowledge”. The resulting scheme is insensitive to Sheffield’s station and unique situation, and consequently lacks credibility.
In our view such errors underline the lack of seriousness with which this application has been made, such that it calls into question their whole case and if for no other reason, justifies rejection of their application on the basis of it being incorrect.

3. “Consultation”
East Midlands Trains claim to have consulted a range of groups and organisations about their intentions and plans.
The Oxford Dictionary definition of Consultation is "seek information or advice from someone, seek permission or approval"
All groups listed in the application as “consultees”, with the exception of Supertram, which is a sister company to EMT, as it is part of STAGECOACH group, have rejected the proposal.
· Sheffield City Council has had 3 unanimous votes in Full Council opposing the plan
· SYPTE, Transport 4 All, and the Access Liaison Group have all lodged objections on the website
· The Chief Executive of Passenger Focus, the national consultative body said in Rail Pro magazine January 2009. “Clearly it is not going to work in Sheffield and they should just drop it, get it out of the franchise. It was daft”
· Passenger Focus also wrote to EMT in December 2008 commenting....
“ In the specific case of Sheffield, we remain concerned that the installation of
ticket gates on the overbridge will impede the flow of passengers between the
tram stop and the bus interchange and City Centre.” Paul Fullwood Passenger
Link Manager

· RASC has repeatedly rejected the EMT plan and when the Customer Services Director of EMT attended an Area Panel meeting on 3rd June 2008 he was faced with 100 angry residents, the minutes confirm he was left in no doubt that residents do not want the footbridge to close but none the less, resident groups are still quoted as consultees.
In our view EMT did not enter into consultation with Sheffield in any listening or constructive spirit. Their view appears to be that consultation consists of telling people what you plan to do and ignoring their objections.

4. “Justification”
East Midlands Trains have sought to justify their application on the grounds of
Revenue protection, safety and security. In so doing they have accepted that their proposed changes are major ones. However we would argue that in none of these areas have they substantiated their case.
· Revenue Protection
E.M.T. argue that the erection of barriers and associated equipment reduce fare evasion and increase their income. Nowhere in their application do they provide evidence to justify their case. Over the last 12 months R.A.S.C. has asked E.M.T. to provide this evidence. They have failed to do so and have turned down our reasonable requests for the facts, on the basis that they didn’t have the capacity to respond.
Elsewhere EMT has claimed an up to 10% increase in revenue where barriers are installed. But documented research has not been presented. Railway industry experts in a variety of articles / papers, ( for example see – “An Open and Shut Case” – Richard Mallins in the Rail Professional May 2008) have disputed such claims. They draw a distinction between Greater London rail operations and the rest of the country. They argue that Train Operating Companies have no way of knowing what the real difference over time maybe and whilst there maybe some increase in the short term this would not be the case over the long term.
From their own statements E.M.T. do not consider revenue loss is a problem on their Sheffield-London route, where on board inspection is effective. They have said their problem is on the Liverpool to Norwich route where inspectors were having difficulty checking tickets due to crowded conditions. There has been recent confirmation that additional rolling stock has been approved for this route which will address this issue

Such is the ineffectiveness of barriers that elsewhere Virgin who operate the West Coast line have removed barriers from stations such as Coventry.
· Safety.
Analysis of British Transport Police data indicates, Sheffield station is both safe and secure, with low instances of crime and trouble. A recent book by Anna Minton, “Ground Control”, argues that far from increasing safety and security such measures as those proposed by EMT lead to greater public anxiety, not less. It is the open nature of Sheffield station that makes it safer and more secure, with platform access only being prevented during the night when there are no trains.
Many objectors have confirmed that the open nature of the station and the fact that it is busy, contribute to feelings of personal safety at the station.
From their application EMT are more concerned about their own security than about safety of travellers. In section 1.0, Introduction, the only reference to safety is in the context of enabling the “ATG’s to operate safely”. They are creating a problem, the operation of barriers, which they then have to deal with by also installing, “localised CCTV and lighting in these areas.” This is emphasised at 3.0 on P.6. Here they say they wish to “install new CCTV cameras to provide safer coverage of passengers”, not – for passengers.
Where the management of special events is concerned, “EMT can open the gates to allow passengers to disperse.” Thus they recognise that barriers do not make things safer for the public but worse, otherwise they wouldn’t need to open them to deal with such movements. Therefore the present situation is by definition safer.

If barriers were to be installed then there is a further situation in which safety would be worse. If a fare avoiding traveller left a train at Sheffield then short of vaulting the barriers they would have to ‘escape’ at either end of the platforms. This would take them onto the tracks and to one or other of the tunnels, creating a potentially dangerous situation for them as well as other train users.
In their Conclusion they assert that “new automatic ticket gates will improve the safety of passengers”. This would not be the case.
· Security
As with safety, security is not an issue at Sheffield station. Vandalism and anti social behaviour are clearly a problem on the poorly lit public right of way footbridge, at the south end of Sheffield station, which many more people would be forced to use if barriers were erected at either end of the main bridge.
But the main station, platforms, concourse and public spaces are a vindication of the regeneration work. The environment is open, non threatening and without graffiti. And this is complemented by the new open spaces immediately in front of the main façade, with both the inner and outer stations benefiting from a background police presence. This also includes the entrance space between the tram stop and the station. The EMT application, P.6, describes this as an “otherwise isolated area”. Yet The S.Y.P.T.E. pedestrian survey found over 1800 people a day using the bridge as a link between the city centre, Park Hill, Sheffield College, the tram stop and a range of schools, and businesses in the area. Nowhere in their application does EMT provide evidence of pedestrian or passenger movement in the station. It is the easy movement of such a volume that underwrites both security and safety, not barriers, CCTV and videos.
Passenger Focus carry out quarterly reviews collecting passengers’ views on a wide range of travel related issues. On the issues of Safety Security and overall satisfaction with the station, the responses collected in Sheffield have consistently out- performed public responses for similar Stations. **( Note 3)
* Disability
In addition to the negative impact on the building itself, the measures proposed by EMT would also make conditions for disabled people worse. The creation of screens and barriers in the main concourse area would reduce the circulation space for people in wheel chairs or otherwise physically disabled, especially the passageway near the lift. The design would also generate congestion where the route from the wide gates crosses that from the left hand gates to the bottom of the stairs, potentially generating safety risks.
This will also be the case at the rear entrance to the station where circulation space will be reduced. Here, EMT propose to “install one video help point to improve the communication between staff and customers”. Video will not improve the situation for disabled people where clearly a lower staffing level is intended. It will leave them more vulnerable.
EMT claim on p.7 that, “Anyone with a disability will be able to apply for a pass if they wish to do so but we will not deny access to anyone who is clearly vulnerable.” On the basis of peoples direct experience of ‘human barriers’ in Sheffield and of machine barriers elsewhere we would dispute both the capacity of barriers to effectively and speedily accommodate disabled people and the ability and sensitivity of EMT barrier staff to recognise disabled and vulnerable people outside the self evident cases of people in wheel chairs.
Barriers will create serious disadvantages for wheelchair users but it will probably create even greater problems for those with hearing, sight /speech impairments, learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism and mental health difficulties. Nowhere in the application are these elements of disability or the problems of multiple disability mentioned.


5. Transfer of a Public Facility to Private control

Our final objection is in many ways the one most deeply felt by many of the individuals and groups, which oppose this application, which would result in the closure of the footbridge, The lifts, footbridge and other improvements were constructed with a great deal of public money after great thought and detailed planning, to be a key transport interchange and thus to serve the needs of a wide range of users. **(Note 1)
The idea, embodied in this application is that the narrow un quantified and unsubstantiated commercial interests of a single business, should be considered more important than the clearly demonstrated benefits enjoyed by the whole City of Sheffield.

In conclusion.
We strongly urge the Board to reject this application because:
The documentation has many inaccuracies and does not reflect the actual situation at the station.
Far from introducing improvements it involves a serious degradation of the facilities we currently enjoy.
The proposals would have a significant negative impact both on the listed building itself but also on public space and circulation, equally important elements of the building.
The proposed changes allied with the demonstrated culture of EMT would make things worse for disabled people.
The “consultation” has been badly carried out and the huge level of opposition has been ignored
The justifications referred in terms of revenue protection, security and safety are either not evidenced or factually wrong.
The station footbridge is a highly valued and well used public resource which should not be sacrificed to a narrow commercial interest.


Keith Hayman (Chair) on behalf of Residents Against Station Closure (RASC)
and the RASC Committee. – Geraldine Roberts (Vice Chair), Graham Wroe(Press and Media Officer), Douglas Bell (Secretary), Vivien Ratcliffe and Roz Glencoe (Events Organisers) and Jeanne Belmont(Treasurer)

Note 1
See attached- Data on funding of major improvements at Sheffield station- Sheffield City Council Presentation to Joint City/EMT Working Group 12 September 2008
Note 2
See East Midlands Franchise Agreement, dated 21 June 2007 Section 11.8
Note 3
Passenger Focus Survey Quarterly Data 2003-2008

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Massive response to station barriers application

I sent this to the press today.

Campaign Group Residents against Station Closure today reported a massive response to their appeal for people to object to East Midlands Trains proposal to install barriers at the station, thus cutting the city in half. All 6 of the cities MP's have objected and important organisations including South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind, Central Community Assembly, and Huddersfield, Penistone and Sheffield Rail Users Association have all objected. More than 500 members of the public have taken the time to write to object to the proposals, along with many Councillors including the leaders of all 3 political parties on the Council.

The objection from SYPTE states "Our concerns relate to the risk of pedestrian congestion, particularly at peak hours, and the difficulties of having to accommodate potential passengers and those seeking information in a smaller remaining concourse space. Those with mobility, sight or other difficulties would be placed at particular disadvantage. "

Nick Clegg, Hallam MP and leader of the Liberal Democrats is concerned about the safety aspects of the proposal. "At present there is a quick and safe passage through the different zones of the building for its many users. The proposed ticket and side barriers would would significantly impede movement and cause crowding...I worry that the contraction of this space is potentially hazardous."

Councillor Jan Wilson, Leader of the Labour Party on the Council, comments about the adverse visual impact on an attracted listed building and states that the barriers are unnecssary- she says there are other options for revenue protection.

Council Leader Paul Scriven states that the barriers will damage Sheffield City Councils ambition for an integrated local transport network.

Leader of the Greens, Jillian Creasy, writes about the connectivity problems. "The whole of the public realm works leading down from Millenium Square, through Howard Street, to the station and the proposed development of Park Hill flats and the associated new park has been about making connections across the Sheaf Valley. This works at a visual and practical level. People can enjoy the views across the station in either direction and they can easily get from one side to the other...the gates will be an ugly addition to the restored station forecourt, but they also damage the concept of a station which connects two vibrant areas of the city".

RASC chairperson Keith Hayman commented, "We are delighted that the people of Sheffield are taking the opportunity to tell East Midlands Trains exactly what the they feel about these destructive proposals. We would like to remind everybody that they have until Monday October 19th to make their voices heard. Write to Sheffield City Council, Howard Baxter quoting reference 09/02887/LBC or alternatively check details of how to do this at http://rasc- sheffield. com/ ."

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Privatisation to blame for station barriers

This press release is on the Sheffield Green Party website, but the Star has managed to miss out the bit about privatisation!

Privatisation blamed for Station bridge row


1st October 2009


Sheffield Green Party have blamed the privatisation of the rail network for the controversial proposal to prevent free access across the bridge at Sheffield Station. East Midlands Trains has applied to Sheffield City Council for Listed Building Consent to install ticket barriers there.

Coun Jillian Creasy, who represents Central ward, commented, "After all these years of Labour Government we still have a privatised rail network which is more concerned about shareholders profits than providing an integrated transport system.

"The Transport Minister Lord Adonis has failed to intervene in this dispute. He has the power to resolve this situation if he chose to listen to the elected representatives in Sheffield, all of whom remain opposed to East Midlands Trains' plans. The Green Party would nationalise the railways and ensure that public transport was a more attractive option than the car."

Residents Against Station Closure and local Green Party campaigner Graham Wroe added, "There is massive public support for the campaign to stop the barriers. These people should now write to Howard Baxter, Sheffield City Council Planning Division Howden House 1 Union Street Sheffield S1 2SH,quoting the reference 09/02887/LBC.

"This can also be done on-line and you will find links and advice on how to do this at www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk and www.rasc-sheffield.com

ENDS

Monday 28 September 2009

Send your objection today!

East Midlands Trains has now applied to Sheffield City Council for Listed Building Consent to install ticket barriers, which would prevent free access across the bridge.


Please now object by:

Step 1 going to the Council web site by copying and pasting this link

http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/app
lication_detailview.aspx?caseno=KQ5ZZUNY0H000

Step 2
Select whether you are 'local resident' or 'live outside area'

Step 3
Click 'submit comments' button and follow the instructions from there.

The deadline is 13 October.

Here is some sample text that you are welcome to use. If you have time to write your own personal letter this may be more effective.


---------

I object to the planning application to install ticket barriers at Sheffield station for the following reasons:



1. Public access.
Sheffield station is an important historic listed building, which deserves to remain open to the public. the proposals would fundamentally alter its character, the barriers, screens and cctv would not be in keeping with the architecture of the building. They would break up spaces and floorscape of the public areas and restrict peoples movement, all important to the appreciation and enjoyment of the station. All these things would significantly reduce public use.

2. Safety and security. The station footbridge is a safe secure and accessible route from the tram stop into the city centre for local people and residents. East Midlands Trains would be forcing people to use a badly lit, inaccessible and unsafe footbridge that would risk public safety.

3.Breaking up Sheffield's integrated transport.
Ticket barriers would remove the direct link between the tram and the train station, creating inconvenience for passengers. Train users would have to arrive at the station much earlier to buy their tickets before travelling. This would add to the existing queues and congestion.

4. Barriers put the interests of a private company, ahead of the public interest. East Midlands Trains' profits should not be put before the public interest. EMT should protect their revenue by putting more ticket inspectors on trains, not by punishing Sheffield residents.




You can view the application on the Council website at:
http://tinyurl.com/yb9ttd4


RASC feels that the submission disregards the huge level of public concern and anger which has been expressed since the beginning of this process. It is also misleading and of poor quality, with various factual errors. All the organisations it claims to have consulted have in fact objected to the barriers.


If you prefer to write, quote the reference 09/02887/LBC to Howard Baxter, Sheffield City Council Planning Division Howden House 1 Union Street Sheffield S1 2SH.

There is more at www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk

Please also join the Facebook group, Keep Sheffield Station open to the public.

Saturday 19 September 2009

East Midlands Trains apply for consent to barrier the station

Please act quickly- we have very little time to respond to this.We must show the Planning Office the strength of feeling about this planning application. We can't let East Midlands Trains steal our bridge!

Consultation on Listed Building Consent Application


East Midlands Trains have submitted a proposal for:
Provision of Automatic Ticket Gates, CCTV cameras and improved lighting in station booking hall and Supertram lobby, erection of glazed barriers adjacent to footbridge stairs, provision of ticket vending machines and video help point in Supertram lobby, erection of boundary fencing and walling to the west side of platform one
Location: Sheffield Midland Station, Sheaf Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP,
Applicant: Mr S Dakin - Stagecoach South Western



Please make comments on the application at Planning Applications Online (www.sheffield.gov.uk and follow the Quick Link to Planning and City Development) or at First Point, Howden House, between 8:30am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday.

If you decide to write a letter, please send it to Les Sturch, Principal Planning Officer Development Management Section,Howden House, 1 Union Street Sheffield S1 2SH , quoting 09/02887/LBC. Please comment before the 2 October 2009, so that your views can be considered. You should note that any comments you make will be placed on the Council website, together with other application details, and placed on the public file.

Most of these applications are decided by officers, but occasionally they are reported to an Area Planning Board. If so, you may attend and, if you wish, ask to speak. I will try to inform you when the board meeting is.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Elm Street Police Station to re open.

Good news in the Star tonight- the little police station on City Road is planned to re-open.
Elm Tree police station, at Manor Top, Sheffield, was closed down years ago after it was set on fire. The neglected station became a magnet for youths and addicts. But the whole story rather begs the question why was the station allowed to fall into such misuse in the first place? Surely it is obvious that one of the most deprived estates in the country needs its police stations?
To create safer neighbourhoods we need police patrolling our streets and engaging in crime prevention.

Here are some of the other things on the Greens wish list concerning crime.


• Look to establish restorative justice as a key feature of the UK criminal justice system. The primary aim will be to restore and, if necessary, improve the position of the victim and the community; the offender will be required to make amends.
• Improve the design of our cities to provide safer streets and public spaces.
• Ensure universal access to high quality youth centres to provide an outlet for young people outside of school hours.
• Bring in a Civil Law Injunction Programme (CLIP) to more effectively deal with anti-social behaviour.
• Oppose any further privatisation of the prison system, as it is vital that where custody is used it is effective in preventing offenders from re-offending.

Monday 14 September 2009

Sheffield Park Academy

Worrying news today about one of our local schools, Sheffield Park Academy, formerly Waltheof, where I have some experience of teaching.http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/sep/13/sheffield-park-academies-ofsted-failureThe school has been labelled "inadequate" by OFSTED. It comes as no surprise that the United Learning Trust has not succeeded in turning round this school. The Green Party believes that schools should be governed in the interests of pupils and parents, not un-elected trusts, businesses or religions. Building a new school has done nothing to remove some of the deep seated problems in the area- poverty and unemployment, many generations of educational underachievement, anti social behaviour and a culture that does not value education. One of the things I said at conference was that the major division in our society is class. Sheffield secondary schools are extremely class dominated. Comprehensive schools that take from the local area sound like a good idea in theory, but in Sheffield it means that the kids fortunate enough to live in the posh areas go to successful schools, and the kids from the housing estates end up in schools that are always going to struggle. If the system was truly comprehensive we would find a way of mixing pupils from different areas. One of the few schools that does this in Sheffield is All Saints RC, where my own children went- because it is a Catholic school its intake is from all over the city, so is very socially mixed. But many of my friends in the Green Party argue that this is divisive too as it splits religious groups. Maybe the answers to some of these problems don't lie in educational policy at all- the root of the problem is the poverty. When the Greens eventually come to power we will tackle that head on, with policies like the Citizen's Income Scheme, the Living Wage and higher taxes for the rich. When our society is fairer the schools in the inner cities and housing estates will at last have a chance to thrive. But the Academies will be returned to the local education authority, not controlled by businesses or religious trusts with no political accountability.

Monday 7 September 2009

Brighton Conference

Have returned from the Green Party conference in Brighton.We had some lively debates and I was in the thick of things on the Education Voting Paper. Although the debate didn't always go my way I am still very proud to belong to a party that conducts its business in such an open and democratic manner. You certainly wont see this at the stage managed conferences of the big parties. But losing a crucial vote by just one vote (after the original hand count had gone in my favour) was a bit galling. You'll find reports and videos of the conference on the green party site, but here are a few of the policies that I think will help us gain support in the next General Election.

All major airports and ports will be taken into public ownership under a Green Government. This is of course in addition to our current policy to nationalise the railways. Government will then be able to take control of our transport system.

Our policy on Afghanistan now reads
(1) An immediate withdrawal of all UK forces from Afghanistan.
(2) The withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan .
(3) An regional agreement with the powers bordering Afghanistan – Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, together with Russia and China, to hold a peace conference as soon as possible with the aim of establishing a new Afghan government which will have the support of all the Afghan people.
(4) Continued support from the EU, UN and other international bodies to support the rebuilding of Afghanistan and the provision of international aid.
(5) The protection all women and minorities in Afghanistan and the upholding of human rights to be an essential part of any peace agreement reached with the regional powers, the UN and the people of Afghanistan.
(6) The issue of Afghan refugees in neighbouring states and elsewhere, and their long term settlement and humanitarian support to be a central feature of any peace agreement.
(7) And to amend ROPS (Record of Policy Statements) accordingly.

As more and more lives are lost in Afghanistan in a war whose purpose Gordon Brown can not explain, I am sure this policy will be popular with the electorate.

On Health
"Health spending in the UK needs to reflect the needs of the country and should be maintained at around the average in the European Union. The party will continue to support the principle that the NHS is a national service, free at the point of entry and fully funded by taxation." As Labour continues the creeping privatisation of the NHS it is very important that the Greens protect it.

On the MP's expenses scandal we passed policy to introduce a system for the electorate to recall an MP.
PA254 Government at all levels should be accountable to electors between elections. Accordingly, necessary legislative steps will be taken to provide for any representative's electors to be able to petition for the recall of any elected person. Specifically, a petition signed by 40% of the registered electors within an MP's constituency will trigger a recall by-election. Until this legislation is passed, Green MP's will voluntarily resign and trigger a by-election, if they are presented with a valid recall petition signed by 40% of the registered electors within their constituency. In the event of the elected representative having been elected by the Additional Member System, the recalled representative would be replaced by the next person on their party list not to have been elected.

I'm not sure the 40% figure is right- it needs to be a big enough number to avoid abuse of the system, but it needs to be small enough to enable it to be used- getting 40% of a constituency to sign a petition would be a mammoth task and could probably only be organised by the press barons. So I hope the 40% will be reduced to something more attainable, say 30%, in the future.

One of the highlights of conference was the Saturday entertainment. Mark Thomas got us writing a silly manifesto. One of the most popular ideas was to provide a free needle and cotton with every pair of socks! Attilla the Stockbroker was superb.
I love his poem about asylum seeking dalekswhich can be found here along with some of his other works.

Thursday 3 September 2009

Tuesday 1 September 2009

10-10 Sign up today

Everyone's looking for something to do about climate change. What’s needed is something straightforward, immediate and meaningful. I think I've found it.

Today I joined thousands of individuals and organisations from across the country to unite behind one simple idea: that by working together we can achieve a 10% cut in carbon emissions during 2010. It’s called 10:10, and everyone can be a part of it.

Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it’s an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need right now. By signing up to 10:10 we’re not just promising to reduce our own emissions – we’re becoming part of a national drive to hit this ambitious goal country-wide. In our homes, in our workplaces, our schools and our hospitals, our galleries and football clubs and universities, we’ll be backing each other up as we take the first steps on the road to becoming a low-carbon society.

To find out more and sign up go to www.1010uk.org
To read coverage of the campaign from the Guardian go to www.guardian.co.uk/10-10

Sunday 30 August 2009

Battle for the Bridge

The battle for the station bridge continues this week with a Residents against Station Closure meeting at Victoria Centre, Stafford Road on Tuesday at 7pm. There are two good letters on the issue in this weeks Telegraph, the first from Valerie Bayliss points out that East Midland Trains are facing both ways as they have supported an application to restore the listed restaurant room on platform 1.The application states "the pedestrian link through the station is central to the city regeneration strategy as it provides a direct route for future occupants of the Park Hill redevelopment scheme to access the Golden Route into the city centre." Recent passenger counts show an average of over 100,000 passengers (sic] passing through the station each week. Valerie says that this application has in effect been endorsed by East Midlands Trains as occupiers of the station - clearly the restoration could not happen without their co-operation. The second letter from RASC stalwart Viv Ratcliffe returns to the issue of democracy and asks who has the right to make the decision on the bridge. If EMT get away with there plans, going against the wishes of all the councillors in Sheffield from all 3 parties (Lib Dem, Lab and Green) and all the MP's, it really will show how little power politicians now have as so much of our infrastructure has been sold off.

As EMT now push forward their plans to shut the bridge I suspect we will be organising further protests.The will of the people must prevail!

Sunday 23 August 2009

The truth about the BNP

I don't often read the News of the World, but they are to be congratulated for this excellent piece of investigative journalism. Reporting on what was going on inside the BNP "family day" in Derbyshire last weekend, the reporter witnessed the burning of a gollywog, nazi salutes, and out and out racism.
Our new MEP, andrew Brons, was among the culprits. He used his stint in the political tent to compare Muslims to SMALLPOX during his speech. He declared: "I'm less concerned about the presence of mosques than the presence of the people that use them. Being worried about the presence of a particular mosque is almost like looking at a disease like smallpox and saying it's a problem with spots."

We must continue to challenge the BNP. Not only must we support groups like Unite against Fascism, but we must campaign in the housing estates and areas where the BNP are making progress, showing that our policies will reduce poverty, create useful jobs and improve the country, not just for white people but for everyone in our multi cultural society. If you'd like to help in this task, please get in touch.

Friday 14 August 2009

Join a Union!

My Union UCU have just produced this short video encouraging people to join a Union.

Meanwhile the Green Sheffield Councillors have persuaded the Council to investigate the idea of introducing a "Living Wage". This would mean all Council employees would be paid an hourly rate above the minimum wage. It would be funded by reducing the salaries of the highest earners.

A Living Wage is already paid to thousands of workers in London and is being implemented in Glasgow and Leeds. The Sheffield Greens are asking officers to find what the living wage would be in Sheffield, calculated as £7.09 per hour outside London but dependant on the cost of accommodation amongst other things. Officers will then draw up a report on how that could be implemented in council.

For the full story see the Sheffield Green Party website. Click here to find out more about the Minimum Income Standard for Britain and use the on-line calculator to see if you earn above the minimum. To see how the Greens are successfully campaigning for a Living Wage around the country see the Green Party website

I am very proud to belong to a political party with such good social policies. It's such a shame that other parties can still get away with calling us a "one issue" party when the truth is we have policies on just about everything! (see the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society for our full policy document)I would be very interested to hear of any topics readers think are not covered by our policies!

Saturday 1 August 2009

Support the Vestas workers

Boys on the Balcony is the great new song from Seize the Day, supporting the Vestas wind turbine workers who are currently occupying their factory.



The Greens have come up with an excellent plan to make it a workers cooperative. See www.greenparty.org.uk
.

Thursday 23 July 2009

American jobs for British wind turbines!


Here in Sheffield there is much concern about further job losses in the steel industry. How could we increase demand for steel to safegard these jobs? The answer is quite simple- invest in the massive increase in wind turbines that we need to produce our electricity without further adding to climate change. So what are the Government doing? They are letting the one wind turbine factory in the UK, Vestas on the Isle of Wight, go to the wall! Instead of nationalising it (as they have shown is possible with the banks) they are quite happy to see this vital plant closed and import the wind turbines we need from other countries, particularly the US. There is currently an occupation at the factory. I wish the workers there every success in their campaign. Wake up Gordon Brown, if we are going to create thousands of Green jobs as you promise, surely saving the jobs of the Vestas workers is the first place to start.
Lots more info here

Saturday 18 July 2009

Station Bridge birthday party

Despite the terrible weather we had a successful celebration of the 7th anniversary since the conception of the new footbridge at Sheffield Station. The street theatre was amazing, and had a happy ending, not with the death of EMT management (even though spikes had been pushed through the box they were in) but with a dramatic change of heart. Lets hope the real EMT management have a similar conversion soon. The news that barriers have not been allowed at York should give us hope.

Many thanks to everyone who turned up despite the rain and all the organisers.If you are a RASC supporter please consider helping RASC financially as we need funds to book rooms, organise future demos, distribute leaflets etc.

There are lots of pics here.

RASC has a new leaflet. Please print some off and give to your friends or place on a noticeboard somewhere.

Monday 29 June 2009

Party at the Station

The next station protest is in the form of a Party to Celebrate the station refurbishment.We are really pleased to have what Lord Adonis says is one of the best stations in the country. It's such a shame that East Midlands Trains are again preventing us using it with their human barriers.

Station Protest Friday 17th July 5.00pm
Come to a party!
It is 7 years since the footbridge was first conceived and to mark the occasion we are having a birthday celebration, to which you are invited.
There will be a huge birthday cake, music and street theatre with top of the bill and star performer, the one and only...Tim Shoveller!
We look forward to seeing you. Please tell your friends too. If you would like to offer entertainment, please get in touch.


Did you know that the Sheffield Town Council of 1870 was so concerned at the construction of the train station and it's propensity to divide the eastern side of the town from the town centre, that they insisted public access across the bridge be preserved across the railway site? One could argue that the construction of the 2002 footbridge is the 21st Century response to access for all.

Please come to the RASC AGM at 7.00pm on 7th July at Victoria Centre.

Sunday 14 June 2009

Meet your new MEP

This is who the good people of Yorkshire have elected as one of their representatives in Europe. Guardian article about Andrew Brons. I wonder how many of the voters realised exactly what the BNP stands for-I am ashamed that our region has elected a fascist. It could have been so much better if just a few more people had voted Green instead- then we would have the politics of hope, not hate. Caroline Lucas would rather forget the BNP and concentrate on the planet. I think if our positive manifesto had been given the publicity it deserved, instead of being lost in the mire of MP's expenses scandals, the result could have been much better. I have spoken to people who supported UKIP/BNP and they did it because they are worried about jobs and wanted to send a protest to the MP's in Westminster. How much more effective that protest would have been if it had been for Greens who want to create a million new green jobs.

Thursday 11 June 2009

Sheffield flooded again

A car negotiates a lifted drain cover and geyser on Granville Road yesterday. Further down the hill the Southside block of Castle College was inundated with sewage water.

As Sheffield clears up after the second major flood in two years, questions need to be asked about the capacity of our drains. It is clear that global warming is already bringing far more extreme weather events to our city. Our drains just can't cope with the amount of water that these flash floods bring. I remember people talking about the 2007 floods saying they were a one in a hundred year event- but here we are again two years later, and I'm drying out my cellar again.But I'm one of the lucky ones, at least I've got a cellar! Other folk are clearing up houses that they've only just got straight from the last flood having had sewage water in the main living rooms. It must be heartbreaking. So what should be done? Firstly Yorkshire Water should be investing in improving the drains- we need to plan for the expected increase in these flash floods. Secondly insurance companies could do a lot to help. Many people get discounts for having good security. Why can't we have discounts for having a water butt and/or a green roof? If lots of householders could be persuaded to make these simple improvements it would take a lot of pressure off the drains. Thirdly we need to stop paving over our green spaces. Sheffield City Council have just removed one of the few patches of grass in the city centre as part of the "regeneration" of Tudor Square by the Crucible- and householders all over the city have converted their front garden into a drive for the car. The less soil and grass we have, the worse these flash floods will become. Perhaps there should be a Council Tax discount for householders that maintain a permeable garden.

The Greens have been arguing for years that we need to do more to prepare for global warming. Unfortunately as yet very little has been done and we will be increasingly at the mercy of the elements.

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Vote Green tomorrow.

Sorry I've been so quiet recently- our phone line got broken so haven't been able to blog for a while. But it's been repaired just in time to remind you to vote Green in tomorrows European elections. Here's a little video that explains the voting system very well- it's aimed at the North West region, but in Yorkshire we are facing a similar battle- and with the collapse in popularity of the big 3 parties, anything could happen tomorrow.



Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, was in Sheffield recently for "Any Questions". She stopped by to support our campaign to keep the station open to the public. There has been an interesting development in the barrier campaign. EMT have contributed £15000 for a feasibility study looking at redeveloping the current service bridge to act as a new pedestrian bridge. This will cost in the region of £1.5 million if it goes ahead. Personally I don't think this would be a good use of public money when there is already a perfectly good bridge. Surely EMT can find a better way to catch fare dodgers than blocking the bridge completely to non train travellers. There is a new poll on the Council website that asks you to choose between 3 options- keep the current bridge open, let EMT go ahead with barriers and issue residents passes, or redevelop the service bridge. Please vote for the first option! 3700 people have already done this, 94% of the vote.

Thursday 21 May 2009

Successful protest!

Many thanks to everyone who turned up yesterday, to express our anger at East Midlands Trains policy of preventing pedestrians walking through the station. There is excellent coverage in the Sheffield Telegraph , the Star


There is also news of a new possibility- revamping the old bridge to make a new safe secure route for pedestrians.

(see the Star) It will be interesting to see how this develops, but was is clear is that EMT must stop barricading the bridge while plans are being made.

Monday 18 May 2009

Green opinion poll hopes

Great news today on the opinion poll front-see the Green Party website
Many people are supporting our practical politics and an interesting coalition is building to ensure the Greens beat the BNP, keeping the fascists out of Europe.

The Star campaign on the station continues, with this interesting article. Its a bit harsh on the good people of Dore, many of whom I am sure are very willing to pay for tickets if the train companies provided the staff to collect them! As Geraldine reiterates in the article, no one is objecting to the train companies ensuring that they collect their fares- indeed, for the good of the railway service, we wish they would get their act together and collect them. However this doesn't mean they need to inconvenience the 2500 non rail travellers that use the station everyday (according to a recent SYTPE survey.)
This comment from "Dore resident" is very telling.
"We are actually quite frustrated by the ongoing humiliation that we have to go through on daily basis, thanks to the inadequate management from Northern Rail. The trains are often late or cancelled with very sporadic announcements, and we are unable to buy tickets on the train due to the short distance between Dore and Sheffield. Every morning we get off the train with concern that we may not be able to present our tickets at the station, if we were asked to do so. The after-work train to Dore leaves from Sheffield at 5.15 pm which renders it impossible for a great majority of us (working till 5pm) to purchase the ticket to Dore from the Sheffield train station in a timely manner."

It is high time the station authorities put a stop to this nonsense and found a way to collect all the fares without destroying the open station which used to be one of the things that made Sheffield great.

I have written my speech for the demo on Wednesday and am looking forward to seeing what happens. A large crowd are expected, so please come and join us. 5pm, front of station. We will cross the bridge!

Thursday 14 May 2009

Rail privatisation has failed the public.

Last night Sheffield Green Party passed the following resolution.
"Sheffield Green Party supports the use of non violent direct action to assert our right to walk across the bridge at Sheffield Station, which was paid for with £7 million pounds of public money." Councillor Rob Murphy has also written to the press supporting the campaign, but explaining how the Green Party policies differ from the other two parties, whose privatisation policies got us in this mess in the first place. Many Green Party supporters will be attending the demonstration on Wednesday 20th at 5pm.

Dear Sir,

I would like to make clear that the Green Party completely oppose the gating of the footbridge at Sheffield Railway Station. However unlike the other parties represented on the City Council we believe the problem is a result of the government's policy of handing control of public services over to private companies. That a private company can stop the people of Sheffield using a bridge that has been paid for with taxpayers money, is a disgrace.
Once again rail privatisation has failed the public. Government subsidy of the railways has grown massively, fares continue to rise faster than inflation, and ticket prices are a confusing mess. The government has even been forced to buy new rolling stock for the train operators (Who find it more profitable to run overcrowded trains than to invest in extra carriages and passenger comfort).
The actions of East Midland Trains are damaging to Sheffield and it's public transport system, but that has little meaning to a large private company aiming for maximum profit from it's franchise. It is time for government to act, to prevent the gating of the walkway and to work towards regaining public ownership and control of our rail network.

Yours sincerely,


Cllr Rob Murphy (Sheffield Green Party Transport Spokesperson)

Tuesday 12 May 2009

EMT continue to provoke revolt

Today's issue of Rail Management has this brilliant article from Sim Harris. It seems not only do EMT want to cut our city in half (they were manning the barracades again today, stopping anyone walking through the station), but they are endangering the health of our children by installing barriers that can break arms!



Here is the article in full.

Gatelines can damage your health Anti-gateline campaigners are boosted by a frank admission from First Capital Connect, as Sheffield demonstrators plan to step up their protest against East Midlands Trains
Gateline protests intensify as EMT launches random checks
East Midlands Trains has started random ticket checks at Sheffield station, effectively closing the footbridge to casual pedestrians without warning.
Campaigners who want the footbridge to stay open say they will be stepping up their protests in response. The first checks were carried out on Wednesday, and a spokesman for EMT owner Stagecoach said further manning of the station entrances could occur at any time, and might
become continuous. The policy is a precursor to the installation of automatic gatelines at the station, which have been bitterly opposed locally for more than a year.
The City Council has now passed several resolutions against the plan, and more than 80 local organisations have added their voices to the campaign of opposition.
The sudden imposition of manual checks has infuriated the protestors. They are warning of further mass demonstrations to come, in which they say they will attempt to cross the footbridge. It links the city centre with a tram stop and community housing and was opened in 2002.
There have been differing accounts of the first sessions of manual ticket checks, with protestors claiming that people with valid tram tickets were refused permission to cross.

FCC fuels anti-gateline protests by warning of hazards to children
Children in gatelines can be ‘seriously injured’ Situation is ‘utterly bizarre’, says one critic
Campaigners who oppose the installation of automatic gatelines at intercity stations are privately delighted by a poster from First Capital Connect which appears to concede that gates can be dangerous.
The DfT is firmly in favour of installing the gates at all principal stations, but although some schemes have gone ahead recently others are facing firm opposition in several provincial
cities. The reasons vary, but include the fact that gates can effectively close pedestrian routes across stations, as at Sheffield or York, and also the possible damage caused to the appearance of heritage stations.
A major debate is under way at Newcastle, while English Heritage has already rejected the
first plans for gates at York submitted by National Express East Coast. Anti-gateline campaigners maintain that the gates themselves are not fit for purpose at intercity stations in any case, where many passengers can be laden with luggage or children, or simply uncertain about how to use the gates because they only travel occasionally. The technology has also come under fire, with gateline programming often inadequate to cater for the millions of possible ticket prices which exist on National Rail. The arguments have not deterred the Department for Transport, which has signed several franchise agreements in recent times which commit operators to installing gates in all but the most exceptional circumstances.
But the First Capital Connect poster appears to be the first official concession that gates are not without their flaws, particularly when weaker or smaller passengers are involved.
It pulls few punches, warning that a child caught in a closing barrier faces ‘serious injury’, and that the gates are ‘very powerful’. Its advice is that children and other vulnerable passengers should
use the wide gate, but such a warning has not been posted at non-FCC stations with similar gatelines. One critic of the gateline policy commented: ‘It seems utterly bizarre that such a hazard should be created when we go over the top on many other safety issues. Has FCC done a
safety case, or is it a matter of gating at all costs?’
FCC said the advice was aimed at passengers who were taking small children through the gates, often at the same time as the adult, and it was then that problems could occur.
The company added: ‘Safety is our absolute top priority. We simply wanted to highlight that certain groups may find it easier to use the wide gate.
‘The gatelines comply with all safety standards. There have been incredibly few accidents in relation to the number of people of passing through barriers. The aim of this campaign is to further increase safety on our network.’

The arguments about gatelines have taken some new twists and turns in the past seven days.
First on to the stage comes East Midlands Trains, which is currently nominated for the coveted and highly prestigious title of Least Well Handled PR Event in 2008-09.
Few RM readers can still be unaware that EMT wants to install automatic gatelines at Sheffield
station, and that almost no-one in Sheffield seems to be on their side.
Gates would block the formerly freely available pedestrian link across the station, which was renovated at huge cost some years ago with the help of funding from the City Council.
Now EMT wants to restrict this community-funded link to railway passengers only or, more specifically, railway passengers who have tickets.
This, m’Lud, is where the heart of the dispute may be said to lie. EMT wants to block the footbridge to casual pedestrians in the interests of revenue protection, and the city doesn’t like the idea at all. The debate has been running for a year or more. The City Council has passed several highly critical resolutions, and the EMT approach (‘we’ll ask you but, by the way, we’re doing it anyway) has raised hackles from Tinsley to Dronfield.
But now the talking appears to have stalled. Last Wednesday, EMT ‘closed’ Sheffield without warning, using staff to monitor all the station entrances, and anyone without a ticket was peremptorily barred from the footbridge. Not only was this action peremptory, but arguably precipitate, premature and very possibly pointless.
For the net result has been to rouse Sheffield to new heights of fury. A major demonstration is now planned, and the campaigners will undoubtedly enjoy widespread support. It is exactly what a train operator does not need. The event has already spawned its own crop of contradictions. The campaigners claim even people with tram tickets were barred (the tram stop lies on the opposite side of the station from the city centre) while Stagecoach say a Supertram conductor was placed on the concourse to provide tickets, which would be accepted as a passport for the bridge. Well, somebody’s wrong.
Another query, not really answered so far, is what happens to passengers alighting from trams who then wish to cross the footbridge. The official answer is that their just-used tram ticket will be accepted by the railway staff. But that needs publicity: ‘keep your ticket if you wish to cross the station footbridge’. Has there been any? That is, according to a spokesman at Stagecoach
Group HQ (speaking with an East Midlands Trains hat on), a matter for Supertram. The trams are, of course, also run by Stagecoach. You couldn’t make it up.
This worrying example of left and right hands not working together is a deeply ominous symptom for the people of Sheffield, who are unlikely to take any of this lying down.
It is also possible to grieve for EMT (up to a point) because it in turn is a victim of the DfT’s determination to gate every station it can, irrespective of the type of passenger traffic which is handled. It seems to be impossible to explain to Marsham Street that what works well at Oxford Circus might be less suitable for Exeter St David’s. So the pressure is maintained, and EMT is now caught between a very angry city and a very determined government department, and will be wrong whatever it does next.
However, suddenly ‘closing’ the station was a PR blunder, and hardly an unpredictable one.
Now let’s welcome our second act of the evening. First Capital Connect has published a slightly worrying poster depicting achild with her arm in plaster (‘four hours in hospital; missed the school
trip’). It warns that gates can cause serious injuries to small children, who should always be taken through the ‘wide gate’ in consequence. No doubt this is right and proper, but very little has been said about it until now. What hideous incidents at obscure suburban stations have caused
this poster to be created? So, let’s summarise. Automatic gatelines, or the prospect of them, are
not only threatening to provoke open revolt in one of England’s largest provincial cities, but it is also now admitted (virtually) that they eat toddlers. Oh crumbs, Minister. Revenue protection
is all very well, but are we sure this is still a good idea?

Monday 11 May 2009

Party Election Broadcast

If you missed this on the tele, here it is!
If you're voting Green, please print off this poster and put it in your window.

Saturday 9 May 2009


This was the scene last Thursday as EMT decided to bar members of the public from the station. I was informed that I was not allowed to take photos, and was not allowed to cross the bridge as I didn't have a ticket. The members of staff barring my way weren't even checking the tickets of the people coming out of the station, so they weren't there to catch fare dodgers, which would have been a useful activity, they were just there to stop people using the station.

On Saturday the Green Party leafleted outside the station and collected petitions for RASC. In the picture is European MEP candidate Steve Barnard, Graham Wroe and Eamonn Ward.

Here is the coverage from the BBC website.

Friday 8 May 2009

EMT madness

the PR team at East Midlands trains have certainly got a fight on their hands! Here is some of the coverage following their disastrous decision to stop the good people of Sheffield from walking through the station.

Sheffield Star 7.5.09


Sheffield Star 8.5.09

So what does a Green MEP do?

Wednesday 6 May 2009

EMT cuts city in half

Today East Midlands Trains carried out their threat to prevent pedestrians walking through the station. The result was utter chaos, with huge queues at the ticket office, people with valid tram tickets being sent away and various confrontations as people couldn't understand why they couldn't simply walk to work the way they always do.

By chance the Council were also meeting today and passed the following motion unanimously.

That this Council:-

(a) Is deeply concerned to learn that East Midlands Trains have begun
blocking off access through Sheffield Station to non-ticket holders by
deploying staff at each end of the Station;

(b) is outraged with the actions of East Midlands Trains who have
effectively cut our City in half and ignored the wishes of local people;

(c) notes with disappointment that East Midlands Trains have also outlined
that they will continue to work towards installing the barriers;

(d) welcomes the fact that the leader of Council has written an urgent
e-mail to the Secretary of State for Transport asking him to intervene on
this issue; and

(e) notes that only the Government can now stop East Midlands Trains
blocking off access through Sheffield Station and therefore calls on the
Secretary of State for Transport to urgently intervene and withdraw the
clause in the franchise which asks for gating to be installed.

There will undoubtedly be more protests at this attack on our integrated transport system (such as it is!)- the bridge that has been closed to pedestrians links the rail network to the tram and bus system. Watch this space!

Saturday 2 May 2009

Power to the People!

I am very excited by this initiative.

Volunteers step up plans for Renewable Energy in Sheffield

Last night, we agreed plans at the Sheffield Renewables general meeting for bringing exciting renewable energy projects to Sheffield. Our immediate priority is a proposed micro-hydro scheme at Kelham Island.

Group Chair, Rob Pilling, announced that: 'SCR is working closely with Sheffield City Council and the Sheffield Museums Trust to develop a hydro power scheme at Kelham Island. Technical feasibility work is ongoing and the planning application will be submitted shortly. The project makes strong links to Sheffield's industrial heritage and culture. It also provides an excellent opportunity for demonstrating and raising the profile of renewable energy within the city.'

The meeting adopted plans to identify and develop a series of schemes over the next few years. Initial interest is around hydro-power, but we are also exploring other technologies such as wind, solar and biomass. We plan to fund a significant proportion of the work through local share offer. So, we will be getting out and about in Sheffield over the coming months to talk to people and encourage them to consider getting on board.

Key to running the first share offer is the setting up of a special type of social enterprise called an Industrial Provident Society. The new organisation will be called 'Sheffield Renewables.' (A slightly less unwieldy version of the group's current full name: Sheffield Community Renewables).

Accompanying the project announcements is an attractive new logo, which we will be incorporating into a revamped website and information materials over the next month or so.

Sheffield Renewables is a local organisation currently run entirely by volunteers. Beyond a modest (e.g. rate of inflation) payment to shareholders, we will use all surplus income from sale of electricity to build further schemes or to support other local projects.

Information or interview: Rob Pilling (RobJPilling@gmail.com)

Website: www.sheffieldcommunityrenewables.co.uk

Friday 1 May 2009

Ubaka released!

Very pleased to be able to report that Ubaka and his family have been released from Yarlswood and are returning to Sheffield.Many thanks to everyone that signed the petition or wrote to Jacqui Smith. The fight isn't over yet as they could be detained again at any time, but at least for now the family is reunited. Keep an eye on the CDAS website http://www.cdas-sheffield.org.uk/ for further information, or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=87892676648&ref=nf
Park Hill

Park Hill is in the news again and will be featured on the BBC2 programme English Heritage tonight at 9pm- might be worth seeing it on i player if you missed it. Having lived in the (now demolished) big block of Hyde Park flats, I have always remained a supporter of Park Hill, but was disappointed with the lack of green features in the refurbishment plans.(see previous posts)
This is how the Star reports it.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Park-Hill-all-set-to.5225686.jp
The tv programme has some interesting insights into the relationship between English Heritage, Urban Splash and the City Council.But it ends pessimistically, with no clear way forward to Urban Splashes current credit crunch crisis. Now this much progress has been made it would seem madness for the Government not to ensure that the project can be completed.The best clip in the programme is when Richard Caborn MP appears behind a lamp post to hijack the visit of minister Rosie Winterton, to show her the importance of the footbridge over the rail station.This must be the best publicity that the campaign to keep the station bridge open have achieved, and can't have pleased East Midlands Trains who weren't given a chance to justify their unpopular and undemocratic plans to close the bridge.

Thursday 30 April 2009

Free Ubaka!

Here is another heart rending story of how our country treats asylum seekers that have fled to Britain in the belief that here they may be free from the persecution they suffered in their home country- only to find that they are treated just as badly here. Ubaka was due to be deported back to Nigeria yesterday, but was not sent because his children refused to cooperate with the authorities. They don't want their dad to be sent back to the land where he has already been shot for speaking out for human rights.Here is Ubaka's story in his own words.




Stephanie 12, Desmond 11 and Raphael 6, refuse to leave Yarl's Wood

Fortunately we were not removed yesterday cos the children refused to be removed as Desmond was terrified went into tears and went under the bed refusing to be pulled out, after several persuasion and trial by the detention officer to pull him out. The immigration officer told him that she will be back in couple of days with another date of removal. Stephanie since after she harmed herself by incision on her wrist she is right has ever been under suicide watch by the detention officers. As the day goes by I see my daughter completely diminishing lost her mind she has refused to talk to neither any body not eating nor a drink of water. The detention offers has arranged for Stephanie to see the doctor but she has also refused to see the doctor she is just covering her head with duvet. She is in great fear of returning to a country where she has no life, where her father was shot, where she has been brutalised as she witnessed many torture, a country where we have watched our heads.

Please help!! This mental torture is slowly killing my daughter, her siblings Desmond 11yrs and Raphael 6yrs are so sad that they run under the bed when they hear a knock at the door, she still says she will kill herself, she is devastated I can't seem to calm her down she has not used the tooth brush since we arrive Yarl wood and she has looks as if she is waken up from sleep all the time, her the condition remains the same the security officials have changed shifts overnight to ensure she does not proceed to suicide. I am loosing it Please help! Some one help!!!
Thank You all,

Ubaka K. Nwose

Please as a matter of urgency sign our online petition
http://www.gopetition.com/online/27357/signatures.html

For more information please see the Sheffield CDAS website
http://www.cdas-sheffield.org.uk/

Green Party leader coming to Sheffield

Great news! Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MEP is coming to Sheffield to appear on Radio 4's Any Questions.The BBC Radio 4 show 'Any Questions?' will be
broadcast live from Longley Park 6th Form college Drama Studio on the evening of May 22nd 2009.

This is your chance to participate in a National favourite radio programme!
Your question could be put to politicians and VIP's.

Tickets are now available on a first-come-first-served basis. To book a
ticket please e-mailAQ@longleypark.ac.uk or telephone 01142 625757.

Please note that no one under age 14 can be allowed in the audience and a
limit of 2 tickets per applicant applies. For further details please visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/anyquestions

Arrive from 6.45 and no later than 7.15. Programme broadcast at 7.30pm on Radio 4 followed by the Any Answers phone in.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Mark Thomas says "Vote Green"


Very pleased my favourite comedian has endorsed the Green Party- thanks Mark- and glad you like the sandals!

You can see Mark at Sheffield Memorial Hall on June 1st.

Friday 10 April 2009

More local renewables

It's encouraging to see the new bungalows and apartments on the Wybourn are going to have lots of eco friendly features- solar panels and green roofs. They are being built on the corner of Manor Oaks Road and Manor Oaks Place. See the Sheffield Telegraph for more details However many other buildings are still being built around the city with very little concern for the environment.

If the Greens were in power all new homes would be designed for low energy use and the installation of solar panels on all new buildings would be mandatory. We would encourage the conservation of resources by removing VAT from insulation and would make more grants available for measures that reduce energy loss from houses.

Water-saving devices would be fitted in all new and renovated buildings. We would
protect the countryside and urban open spaces by introducing independent environmental impact assessments when development is proposed on greenfield
sites. We would make the planning system more democratic and accessible to people.

We would make funding available to local authorities so they can provide good and well-maintained council houses. The Green Party is opposed to the privatisation of ownership and/or management of social housing and we are against the transfer of council housing to ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) because the system provides inadequate representation for tenants. When an ALMO exists, the Green Party will seek to ensure that tenants are able to participate meaningfully in its management, and, that the housing is returned to local authority control should the majority of tenants wish it. Public services, such as council housing, should not be funded through private finance, eg the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) because of the burden to society in the longer term. George Monbiot recently wrote a particularly damming article about how we the taxpayers are being fleeced by PFI's especially the new one to widen the M25-"the biggest weirdest rip off yet". In Sheffield the Council and the Government have just agreed a massive PFI to upgrade the cities roads, despite opposition from the Green Councillors.The 25 year contract is ridiculous when climate change is forcing us to rethink the way we travel, and the scheme will cost us the tax payers far more than if we paid for it outright in the first place.