Demo to stop the barriers

17th February 2009

The Green Party will be supporting a demonstration on Friday 27th Feb to
protest against plans by East Midlands Trains to install barriers at
Sheffield Station. Campaigning group Residents Against Station Closure say that ticket barriers will prevent many people walking through the station to gain access to the city centre or the tram stop which is at the back of the station.

Green Party councillor Bernard Little, who will be speaking at the demonstration, said, "The footbridge links communities and organisations on both sides of the station. It is used every day by staff and students at
Sheffield College, Hallam University and several schools as well as
thousands of people who live in the communities around the station. It is
particularly important for wheel chair and push chair users as the only
alternative bridge is completely inaccessible, forcing them to go far out of
their way.

"On 3rd September and 5th November Sheffield City Council voted unanimously on two motions opposing the gating scheme. East Midland Trains must not prevent Sheffield people from using the award-winning listed building, which the city has spent millions of pounds to refurbish."

download a poster for the demo

download a leaflet to print and give to friends

visit the Rasc website

join the Facebook group

sign the petition to Geoff Hoon ( 885 signatures on 17th Feb)

The demonstration assembles from 3.45pm outside City Hall. There will be a march to the Station, speeches from Richard Caborn MP, Paul Scriven (Leader of the City Council),Councillor Bernard Little, and Councillor Jan Wilson. There will also be music from Chris McMahon, the Socialist Choir and Simon Heywood.