GOVERNMENT ASKED TO OPPOSE STATION BARRIERS

12.00.00am GMT Mon 2nd Mar 2009

Cllr Scriven (left) and Cllr Auckland (centre) at the protest march

Liberal Democrats on Sheffield City Council are calling for the Government to step in, in the row over barriers at Sheffield Station. Lib Dems will put a proposal before a meeting of Council on Wednesday (4th March) to gain approval for a cross-party Council delegation to meet with Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to ask him to intervene on behalf of Sheffield.

Local Lib Dems have campaigned alongside local people who want the station to remain open, as an access route to the city centre. Yet despite local protests, East Midlands Trains plan to go ahead with the barriers.

Cllr Ian Auckland, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development and Transport, said:

"Ticket barriers have been opposed from the start by local people and the Council have backed their protest all the way. Blocking off access through the station would be grossly unfair for local people and a step in the wrong direction for Sheffield."

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of Council, added:

"We are doing all we can to prevent the barriers going in and I would like to thank local people for all their hard work. However, it's clear that East Midland Trains aren't listening and our options are running out."

"We will be asking the Council to give approval for a cross party delegation to meet with the Secretary of State for Transport in order to him to intervene. Ultimately only the Government have the power to stop the barriers, so it's vital that we do all we can to make sure they understand the level of opposition from local people."