Access to train platforms from footbridge to close

Nottingham railway station will close access to platforms via the footbridge to confirm the results of a recent trial.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) said the three-week pilot scheme in November showed a "significant increase in revenue" equivalent to a possible £1.1m a year.

The railway operator said there were also improvements in safety and security at the station when access closed from the footbridge to the platforms.

The closure will start on 22 February, and customers wanting to access platforms one to six will need to use the main entrance, but the footbridge will remain a public right of way.

EMR said the next closure, which would be kept under review, would allow it to capture further evidence and data to verify the results of the initial pilot.

The operator advised customers, who previously used the bridge, to allow extra time while catching their trains, and confirmed access to the tram on Station Street would be maintained.

EMR said customer satisfaction increased during the pilot, including in the disabled community.

The pilot also directly led to three customers with suicidal intentions being engaged by colleagues at the ticket gate, EMR added.

Philippa Cresswell, customer service director at EMR, 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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