RAIL bosses incurred the wrath of passengers and conservationists alike with their original plans for automated ticket barriers at York Railway Station.

“What was once a friendly place where you could go to await a loved one’s arrival on the platform … is now to be sacrificed to a jobsworth mentality which herds people like sheep,” was the comment from one irate Press correspondent.

Conservationists also objected, with even Janet Riley, City of York Council’s conservation architect, pulling no punches.

The barriers would “disrupt the symmetry” of the station concourse, she said, and undermine its “open and welcoming spaces”.

Bosses at rail operator National Express East Coast (NXEC) insisted ticket barriers were necessary, both to improve security and discourage fare-dodgers. But they bowed to the inevitable, and agreed to come up with revised plans.

These plans have now been submitted. And while they may not appease those opposed to the principle of barriers, NXEC hopes at least they will satisfy the heritage groups.

Under the fresh plans, the barriers will be lower than first planned, and more symmetrical, giving the station a more open feel.

As well as installing barriers, the firm aims to open a new passenger lounge, knock down the existing cash machine and photo booth kiosk and create a “cycle hub” with 100 extra cycle spaces.

Whether the revised blueprint will win over the critics remains to be seen. Even if platform passes are available, there is little to appease those who object to barriers because they stop relatives waving goodbye.

NXEC’s insistence that there were barriers in place until the mid-1980s will make little difference to those worried they may not be able to help elderly relatives onto the train.

On the design front, the plans do seem to be an improvement. It is encouraging that NXEC seems to have listened to some of the concerns. But the firm may have shot itself in the foot by saying it wants to remove the historic signal post by the flower stand in the outer concourse.

We can almost hear the traditionalists sharpening their knives.