The group presented a united front and gave EMT a hard time about their proposal to install ticket barriers at Sheffield rail station.

EMT claim that this will tackle fare dodging, although they have no information on the current level. It was established early in the two hour meeting that EMT had no alternative suggestions to discuss other than the installation of gates.

EMT insisted they wanted to listen to local views, but they had nothing else to offer. They went on to reject all suggestions as unworkable. For instance, the suggestion that they should put more staff on trains to collect fares was ruled out as impractical as trains were already "over- crowded, sometimes eight deep!"

The group was shown around the proposed sites for locating gates. The current plan is approximately 13 barriers in the front hall and probably five at the back entrance. These ideas are subject to change as a result of a computer modelling exercise to check safety.

One look at this layout makes it clear that if gating is introduced all free movement through the station would be at an end.

Even people meeting passengers from trains or help them with their departure would only be able to do so at the discretion of staff on the barriers. It is also likely that wheelchair users who find the system of lifts in the station the most convenient way of getting to the city centre from the communities on the hill above the station would be blocked.

There are no arrangements in place for tram users getting off at the back of the station to go into the city centre, or walking from the bus station to the tram stop at the back of the station to be able to use the footbridge.

There was some talk of enabling local residents to be able to walk through and EMT suggested the possibility of developing a token or pass system for residents.

When informed that there are 70,000 residents in the Central constituency alone there was no response. EMT were unable to define the meaning of local resident.

There are a number of large organisations and proposed developments on either side of the station - staff and students at Castle Centre of the Sheffield College, Sheffield Hallam University; a number of secondary and primary schools and the residents of the huge Park Hill development in addition to people who already live here.

They would all be prevented from using this award-winning listed building which the city has spent millions of pounds to refurbish.

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