She walked through the station with Central MP Richard Caborn and Paul Blomfield, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Central, who oppose the plans of East Midlands Trains.

Mr Blomfield said the ticket barriers would severely restrict people's movement to and from the the city centre. "People don't just come to Sheffield station to catch trains, they also come here to catch trams and walk through up to Park Hill and Norfolk Park. Unlike most stations it's not a final destination and I don't think East Midlands Trains understand this.

"I'll be writing to the Minister and English Heritage to outline again why these proposals are a bad idea and I hope they will join the campaign in opposing the plans for barriers."

Ms Winterton, also Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, was in Sheffield on Monday to check on the regeneration of Park Hill flats and to see how other listed buildings in the city are being put to new use.

She saw Highfield Trinity Methodist Church, a Victorian building restored with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources so it can become a community focal point, and the Sterling Works and Butcher Wheel Works in Arundel Street, now part of the Freeman College.

Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said it was an opportunity "to show the Minister the important role our heritage is playing in boosting local pride and creating vibrant urban communities".




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