Anger over calls to speed up station gating

5.53.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Apr 2009

Local Liberal Democrats have responded angrily to reports that Network Rail is encouraging train companies to invest more quickly in station barriers - just weeks after a mass protest over the proposed gating of Sheffield Station's footbridge.

Paul Scriven, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner for Sheffield Central, said:

"In Sheffield, gating our station is not something that we should be encouraging to happen faster. It should not be happening at all.

"Local people are justifiably angry at the prospect of our city centre being cut in two."

Rail Minister Lord Adonis recently told The Guardian that there is "wide support" for such schemes. The Labour Government is reported to be encouraging train companies to invest in yet more gating schemes.

Paul continued: "This just goes to show that the Labour Government is not interested in listening to what Sheffielders want.

"Transport secretary Geoff Hoon has refused to meet with a cross-party delegation from Sheffield to discuss these barriers. Perhaps he should reconsider so his Government can learn just how unpopular these plans are."