RAIL operator National Express East Coast (NXEC) has drawn up fresh plans for ticket barriers at York Station, following widespread criticism of its original proposal.

The firm says it has listened to its critics and has submitted a new application to City of York Council.

The move is unlikely to appease those who opposed the principle of barriers.

But NXEC hopes the new blueprint will satisfy heritage groups and conservationists, who objected to the original design rather than the concept.

Under the revised plans, the barriers will be lower than first planned and there will be greater symmetry on the main concourse. NXEC says they will give the station a more open feel.

The firm also criticised perceptions that barriers would ruin the character of the station, saying barriers had previously been in place, before being removed in the mid-1980s.

David Roberts, NXEC’s head of property, said barriers were part of a wider long-term plan, aimed at improving passenger facilities and making York the first “green station” in England.

As well as barriers, the firm aims to:

* Provide a new passenger lounge for standard and first class.

* Remove the historic signal post in the outer concourse and put up a new information point.

* Knock down the current cash-machine and photo-booth kiosk, and relocate the ATMs to other points in the station.

* Open a new access route from the short-stay car-park to the concourse.

* Put up new train information boards in the outer concourse and put information columns around the station.

* Provide 100 extra cycle spaces and create a “cycle hub”.

* Improve energy efficiency and promote renewable fuels, recycling and eco-friendly travel.

Mr Roberts said: “We are committed to developing green stations and we are looking at potentially having York as the first green station in England. As far as we know, no other rail company has this concept developed yet.

“It looks at energy efficiency, energy creation such as solar power or wind, recycling and sustainable travel for how staff get to the station. The likelihood is that York would be the first one in England.”

NXEC managing director Susan Goldsmith added: “Our vision for York Station is that it will be a progressive and modern transport interchange that delivers an excellent journey experience for customers whilst making travel simpler for all.”

NXEC first unveiled its plans for ticket barriers last November, but prompted a fierce backlash from rail-users and conservationists. Two dedicated campaign groups were set up to oppose the idea.

Some opposed the overall concept, saying the station should remain open to enable people to walk through or buy tickets on-board their train.

Others said the scheme proposed by NXEC would spoil views of the Grade II listed building and spoil its character. The country’s leading conservation body, English Heritage, said it did not oppose barriers in principle, but said the need for the proposal in its original form had “not been justified”.

Ms Goldsmith said NXEC had engaged with a “wide range of stakeholders and members of the public” on its plans for barriers.

She said: “We have listened to people and have made significant alterations to our plans as a result.”

Critics of the original plans said they would view the new ones closely before reaching a conclusion.

Peter Brown, of York Civic Trust, said he was expecting to see the full plans later this week, and said: “Once we have the opportunity to look at the detail, we will pass comment.”

* See The Press tomorrow for further reaction, including from York Conservation Trust and the Campaign Against Barriers at York Station.