[ssf] Residents Against Station Closure No Barriers..

[worldwarfree at riseup.net]

East Midlands Trains have 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 into
your browser.

http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_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 13th 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 forlocal 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 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.

When you have written your objection please forward this to your friends
and ask them to join the group. Apologies if you get this more than once.

Best wishes

Graham Wroe
Press Officer, Residents Against Station Closure