A RAIL firm was today launching a bid to overturn a decision to throw out controversial plans to install ticket barriers at York Station.
National Express East Coast (NXEC) is lodging an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate against the City of York Council’s rejection of proposals to fit the gates across the historic building’s concourse.
The scheme – which the rail operator says is necessary to combat fare-dodging and to meet the terms of its station franchise – sparked heated debate and fierce opposition from passenger groups.
A stormy meeting of the council’s planning committee in July saw the plans blocked on the grounds that the barriers would have a “serious adverse effect” on the Grade II-listed building.
Now NXEC hopes to sway the Planning Inspectorate, saying its proposals had won the favour of heritage bodies. It was due to formally submit its appeal and inform the council today.
“NXEC confirms it is submitting an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in relation to plans to introduce ticketing gates and other improvements at York Station,” said a spokesman for the firm.
“The appeal seeks to overturn the decision of a sub-committee of City of York Council which, by a margin of six councillors to three, rejected an application for listed building consent.
“The application sought to allow NXEC to make improvements to the Grade II-listed building, including the installation of four sets of ticketing gates. The sub-committee’s decision was very disappointing, particularly as the authority’s own planning and heritage officers recommended the application for approval.”
He said conservation groups, including the Railway Heritage Trust, as well as tourism and business groups, supported the application. He added: “The introduction of ticketing gates at York Station remains a franchise commitment – the Department of Transport expects NXEC to continue to progress this commitment.
“Ticketing gates would prevent fare evasion, improve safety and promote and protect the environment of York Station.”
After strong opposition to its original barriers proposal, NXEC redrew its plans to make the gates lower and more symmetrical to the station concourse, but opponents said they would still cause access problems for disabled passengers.
