CAMPAIGNERS who oppose the installation of automatic ticket gates at Sheffield say that the deputy prime minister may now be asked to take action over their long running dispute with East Midlands Trains.
45 people are reported to have been cautioned by British Transport Police after a major confrontation between local people and rail staff, which occurred on 2 September during a ‘spot’ closure of the footbridge which spans the station.
Opponents to gates argue that the modernised footbridge, which opened in 2002, links the station tram stop and community housing with the city centre, and that closing it to non-rail travellers by installing gates at each entrance would force local people to take a longer route, which could also be dangerous after dark.
They point to the fact that Sheffield City Council provided millions of pounds towards the upgrading of the station, and councillors have also been opposing the proposal to install barriers.
East Midlands Trains has offered to provide special gate passes to registered users who need to cross the station, and has justified its policy by saying that it has a duty under its franchise agreement with the Department for Transport to reduce fraudulent travel.
Although the controversial gates have yet to be installed, EMT has been staging closures of the bridge without warning, during which only people with valid tickets are allowed to cross.
Councillors are now understood to be raising the matter of the confrontation earlier this month with the police and the DfT, and deputy PM Nick Clegg may also be asked to help.