Commuters and businesses divided over closure of Nottingham Station entrance

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Footbridge which connects Station Street to Queen's Road will have access to platforms one to six closed (Credit: EMR)

Footbridge which connects Station Street to Queen's Road will have access to platforms one to six closed (Credit: EMR)

By George Palmer-Soady

Trial plans to close an entrance at Nottingham Station could harm some local businesses, it is claimed.

From next Monday (October 28), access to six platforms via a footbridge will be closed off with passengers told to use the main entrance.

The crossing connects Station Street to Queen’s Road on either side of the station and links to the NET tram stop.

It is currently a public right of way with no ticket barriers on either side, unlike the main entrance on Carrington Street.

While the footbridge will remain open, access to platforms one to six will be closed from next week.

Some local businesses say it could affect footfall, but some commuters welcomed the idea of reducing the number of passengers who skip fares.

Announced on Thursday (October 24), the plans follow three recent attempts from station operator East Midlands Railway to crack down on fare dodgers.

It says these operations were successful but that employing people to do them is not cost-effective in the long term.

Commuters and locals around the station had mixed views on the closure.

Pete Russell is the owner of Hopkinson’s Vintage Antiques and Art Centre on Station Street. He believes the closure will affect his business due to a lack of thoroughfare.

“We’re really concerned about this,” he said.

“A huge percent of our business relies entirely on the passing trade and people coming out of the station.

Pete Russell, owner of Hopkinson's Vintage Antiques and Art Centre on Station Street, worries the plans will affect his business due to a lack of passing trade
Pete Russell, owner of Hopkinson’s Vintage Antiques and Art Centre on Station Street, worries the plans will affect his business due to a lack of passing trade

“We see the amount of people who use that side entrance and walk into the direction of town – if this goes ahead, those people aren’t going to be passing our business at all.

“There are 50 independent businesses in our building and if those people don’t get the footfall pass then it’s going to have a huge impact.

“I can appreciate why EMR want to do this but I do think the simplest thing for them to do would be to put their barriers along the gate.

“Then they would solve both problems without having a detrimental impact on myself, my business and all the other businesses on Station Street.”

Matthew Lee, who commutes to the station, says that he doesn’t think closing the footbridge is the best way to stop ticket evaders.

Matthew Lee, who commutes to the station, says that he doesn't think closing the footbridge is the best way to stop ticket evaders
Matthew Lee, who commutes to the station, says that he doesn’t think closing the footbridge is the best way to stop ticket evaders

“I think people are still going to find a way – they could have thought about it a bit more before implementing a plan like this.

“There are other problems they should be working on. When the time comes, I think they should have focused on the more important topics rather than a few quid here and there.”

Others were more positive about the new plans.

Amy Johnson, a regular traveller at the station, says she thinks the closure of access to the platforms is “a really good idea.”

Amy Johnson, a regular traveller at the station, says she thinks the closure of access to the platforms is "a really good idea"
Amy Johnson, a regular traveller at the station, says she thinks the closure of access to the platforms is “a really good idea”

She said: “At the end of the day they need to get revenue and you do need to pay for tickets.

“I travel every day so I do see a lot of people try and fare dodge so I think it’s a good idea to try and catch them out.

“There may be some delays but I can’t imagine it’ll make things harder either way.”

Sophie Howrath, who uses the station to travel home from university, agrees.

Amy Johnson, a regular traveller at the station, says she thinks the closure of access to the platforms is "a really good idea"
Amy Johnson, a regular traveller at the station, says she thinks the closure of access to the platforms is “a really good idea”

She said: “I pay for a ticket and everyone should. I understand some people can’t afford tickets and I think that’s a different conversation to have.

“I think the new plans are a really good thing, though, and it’s just fair if everyone else is paying, isn’t it?”

Nottingham Station has nine platforms, including two on the NET tram line.

Between 2022-2023, an estimated 6.7 million passengers entered and exited the station, making it the 55th most used in Britain, according to the Railway Data Centre.

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