Residents furious at continued proposals to "gate" the railway station.

East Midlands Trains complain trains are too overcrowded for ticket collectors!

I joined a group of local people who represent a wide range of interests, such as access for people with disabilities, the City Council, SYPTE and local residents last week at the station. We met with 4 reps from East Midlands Trains (EMT)on Thursday 31st July. The group presented a united front and gave EMT a hard time about their proposal to install ticket barriers.

EMT claim that this will tackle fare “dodging” although they have no information on the current level. It was established early in the 2 hour meeting that EMT had no alternative suggestions to discuss other than the installation of gates. EMT insisted that this was consultation and they wanted to listen to local views but despite the total rejection of ticket barriers they had nothing else to offer. They managed to get the group to discuss other ways of solving their, unquantified, problem of fare evasion, but went on to reject all suggestions as unworkable. For instance the suggestion that they should put more staff on trains to collect fares was ruled out as impractical as trains were already "over- crowded, sometimes eight deep!"

The group was shown around the proposed sites for locating gates. The current plan is approximately thirteen barriers in the front hall consisting of 10 standard size and 3 wide aisle to be located between the arches and probably 5 at the back entrance, two standard size going in, and two standard size going out with one wide gate off to the side where the lift is. These ideas are subject to change as a result of a computer modelling exercise to check safety. One look at this layout makes it clear that if gating is introduced all free movement through the station would be at an end. Even people meeting passengers from trains or help them with their departure would only be able to do so at the discretion of staff on the barriers. It is also likely that wheel chair users who find the system of lifts in the station the most convenient way of getting to the city centre from the communities on the hill above the station would be blocked.
There are no arrangements in place for tram users getting off at the back of the station to go into the city centre, or walking from the bus station to the tram stop at the back of the station to be able to use the footbridge.
There was some talk of enabling local residents to be able to walk through and EMT suggested the possibility of developing a token or pass system for Residents. When informed that there are 70,000 residents in the Central Constituency alone there was no response. EMT were unable to define the meaning of "local resident".
There are a number of large organisations and proposed developments on either side of the station. Staff and Students at Castle centre of the Sheffield College; Sheffield Hallam University; a number of secondary and primary schools in the immediate vicinity and the residents of the huge Park Hill development, in addition to people who already live here, would all be prevented from using this award winning listed building which the city has spent millions of pounds to refurbish.
If readers have concerns about EMT's proposal that can email them to getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
or write to Tim Shoveller, East Midlands Trains, FREEPOST DY940, Derby, DE1 9BR

For further information contact Residents against Station Closure at RASC2008@live.com

Station access/ Sheaf Valley Park

Earlier this week I attended the Manor Castle and Woodthorpe Area Panel. Two representatives attended from East Midlands trains, who are still going ahead with plans to "gate" the station despite opposition from all the local political parties and many organisations and individuals.I will be attending a meeting at the station next Thursday, 31st July, to discuss the plans.If you would like me to convey a message to the train company (that I can repeat!) please get in touch.

There are also developments with the plans for Sheaf Valley Park. The council has released plans for the section of the park that they will be responsible for- Urban Splash will be developing the section in front of Park Hill flats. There will be various consultation opportunities in the near future, so you can let the planners know what you think. I remain to be convinced about the "event space" and grass terraces, and would prefer money to be spent on disabled friendly paths (the paths all seem to have steps on the plan) and lighting, to encourage people to walk this way to town. There is no funding at present for the Park Cafe, which would be at the top of the hill opposite Claywood Road. What do you think?

Demo at Station

There was a very successful demonstration at the station this morning, to protest at East Midlands trains plan to install barriers and prevent pedestrians walking through.There must have been about 50 people there, including representatives from all 4 political parties, Transport4All,Friends of Sheaf Vally Park, Friends of Norfolk Park, Park Community Action, Victoria Methodist Church, Grace Owen Nursery and probably other organisations I wasn't aware of. When was the last time all 4 political parties in Sheffield came together on the same demonstration? I have just been forwarded another email from East Midlands trains, which is much clearer about their plans. It says

Dear ***** *****

Thank you for your email of 24 February 2008.

I can confirm that we are installing ticket barriers at Sheffield on a
trial basis- these have been well received at the stations at which they
have already been installed e.g. Leicester.

These barriers are intended to reduce the amount of fare evasion taking
place, and this is one of a number of measures we have implemented to
ensure this is the case - ultimately, this is to benefit the travelling
public by helping to keep fare rises to an absolute minimum.

If the installation is successful the barriers will become permanent.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Kind regards

******** ***
Customer Relations Officer

What is rather ironic is that even though it is the clear democratic will of the people to keep free access to the station, because it is now a private concern, in the end East Midlands trains can do what they like. We need to renationalise the railways to bring them back into democratic control.

I have had a letter published in the Telegraph about the station access, which is at http://www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/archives/letters/2008/080413eastmidlandstrains.htm
and Rob Murphy, Green candidate for Sheffield Central, has written about the demo
http://www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk/archives/letters/2008/080418demo.htm

The coverage on Radio Sheffield was a little disappointing, as it gave all the publicity to Jan Wilson, when the hard work that has been done by local campaigners bringing this to everyone's attention was ignored. However it has sent a very stong message to East Midlands trains- lets hope they now reconsider and come up with a sensible alternative.

Station access protest

Jan Wilson, Labour leader of the Council and Councillor for Manor Castle ward, has called a protest at Sheffield Railway Station on Monday 21st. She writes

Dear All

You all know about the intention of East Midland Trains to make Sheffield Station a 'closed' station.

I am organising a protest there on Monday 21st at 11.00, meeting at Supertram stop at rear of station - we are going to go through with a placard saying 'Don't stop Access through Station' or something like that.

Would anyone like to come? and can you inform anyone you think might be interested.

I will try to get the Sheffield Star to come with photographer

I have also emailed the Chair of the Transport 4 All group, which is active on issues which affect people with disabilities

Best wishes

Jan Wilson
Council Leader

I will be joining the protest and I have challenged the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives to get involved too. This must not be an election stunt, it must be a powerful show of force from a united community, determined to keep pedestrian access to the station.

Area Panel meeting

I went to the Area Panel meeting at St Swithun's last night. We had a good discussion about the stations plans to restrict pedestrian access. There is massive local feeling against these proposals, yet in the end it seems that East Midlands trains could do it, as the land belongs to them. It is very important that we keep up the pressure on them so that they realise we are not a walkover. We don't want to have to organise demonstrations at the station, but we will if we have too! The main result of the discussion was that the station manager would be invited to the next area panel meeting which we think will be on Tuesday 3rd June. Urban Flash will also be invited to this meeting, so they will hopefully further reinforce how unpopular the station will make itself if it goes ahead with the plans. We will also get a chance to question Urban Splash on their latest plans to make the Park Hill redevelopment more environmentally friendly, something I have been lobbying for since the plans were first published.

The main item on yesterday's agenda was the new Area Action Plan for Manor, Castle and Woodthorpe. This is now in its second draft. The main theme in this is to develop a local worklessness programme. This is a worthy idea, but we shouldn't just be challenging worklessness, as many of the jobs created by multi national corporations still leave people with little sense of self worth. We should be promoting "good work", work that will improve our communities, and make them more sustainable and self sufficient.
I suggested that the Area Panel should seriously look at promoting schemes to make our housing stock, both private and council housing, more energy efficient. This would create jobs, alleviate poverty and reduce our carbon emissions all at the same time. A first phase might involve ensuring all roofs are properly insulated, but then we could go on to consider cavity wall insulation or enveloping for older houses that don't have cavity walls. Individual householders are unlikely to tackle such a project, but if a scheme for a whole street was organised it might then become very much more affordable.

If you would like more information about making your home more environmentally friendly, pay a visit to South Yorkshire Energy Centre at Heeley City Farm. This is the centre that the Green Party ensured funding for in the Council budget- without the pressure from the two Green Councillors its future would be completely uncertain.

Area Panel and litter pick

If you are able to join Victoria Environment Group for the litter pick we will meet as usual, at Victoria Church at 10.00 on Saturday 5th April. Litter pickers and bags are available. Please bring gloves.

Jan Wilson will be giving an update on her discussions with East Midlands Trains about the proposal to stop pedestrians using the station, at the Area Panel meeting next Tuesday 8th April, at St Swithen's Church, Cary Road. Refreshments are available from 6.00pm and the meeting starts at 6.30pm. I understand that this is due to be the first item. All are welcome.

Pedestrian access to the railway station

I gather there are plans to stop pedestrians using the railway station. This has got to be the most stupid proposal I have heard for a long time. We need an integrated transport system and the most important part of that, to reduce our carbon footprint, is encouraging people to walk. Closing the station for pedestrian access will discourage people from walking and using the Supertram, which has to be accessed through the station for that part of the city. Many residents in the Park Hill area regularly use this route to walk to town. I urge people to protest to the station management. They are managed by East Midlands trains and the email address is getintouch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk