‘It’s a bit scary’: Train company criticised for ‘not listening’ to views on closure of Nottingham Station entrance

The footbridge access was previously closed in October 2024
By Henry Green
Train company East Midlands Railway is again facing fierce criticism after announcing another closure of Nottingham Station’s footbridge.
The side entrance and footbridge was previously closed off in a three week trial in October 2024. At the time, businesses and commuters heavily criticised the decision.
The new closure will begin on Saturday, February 22 with customers boarding trains from platform one to six having to use the station’s main entrance.
EMR says they are restricting the footbridge access due to fare dodgers repeatedly using the route, which has no ticket barriers.

The company gave no timeline for the new closure, saying it will be “kept under review”.
Pete Russell who co-owns Hopkinson, on Station Street, alongside his partner Bryony Woodgates said the public “don’t feel very listened to”.
He’s concerned he and other businesses close by will lose out on passing trade following the closure.
“There wasn’t much of a conversation to be had by EMR, it was simply ‘you weren’t told about this last time so we are telling you and it’s happening’,” Pete said.
Pete also added he feels EMR “aren’t going to take anything we have got to say into consideration”.
“I think that the main issue in this situation is there doesn’t seem to be much compromise from EMR and to go so blatantly out their way to ignore what the vast majority have been saying is a bit scary,” Pete said.

Steve Rodgers says he believes the decision is wrong and that EMR should instead have more ticket inspectors on trains.
Steve said: “It’s wrong because sometimes if you are at the station they change platforms quite late and you have to move from one platform to another so that means that now you will have to go all the way to the front to get to a different train.
“There’s no reason to go over the top, if they just had proper train inspectors on the train it wouldn’t be a problem,” he added.

Zachary Moore uses the twice a week to attend hospital appointments and church.
He said: “I think it’s slightly ridiculous that you will have to go right up to the main entrance to get in and out of the station.
“Having the footbridge is very easy and very handy for me, if they were checking tickets on the train that would make more sense and you can also put barriers on the end of the station,” Zachary added.
In a statement, published at 4.53pm on Friday (Jan 31) EMR said the trial closure in October saw it’s revenue increase by £80,000 — suggesting it could be losing £1.1 million a year to fare evasion related to the entrance.
Customer Service Director at East Midlands Railway, Philippa Cresswell, said: “The first short closure of the bridge laid bare the stark extent of ticketless travel that was taking place via the footbridge.
“This money belongs to the taxpayer and is vital for the railway to successfully operate, improve, and secure investment.
“We recognise that the pilot was not universally supported and increased the time it took for some customers to access or change trains; however, the benefits were too great not to progress this matter further.”
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