AS controversy continues over East Midlands Trains’ plan to install auto-gates at Sheffield, the station has won a prestigious Railway Heritage Trust award for its improvement and restoration.

The transformed station was judged overall winner in the Ian Allan Publishing category of the Awards.

During the past three years, the station has had a £50 million investment programme, which, in partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, has provided its frontage with the Sheaf Square high-quality public space, water features and a stainless steel sculpture called The Cutting Edge. 

Station renovation has included £16 million pounds-worth of roof repairs, canopy and steelwork restoration, lighting renewal and cleaning of the façade.  

The project was funded by the Department for Transport, English Partnerships, Objective One, Railway Heritage Trust, Single Regeneration Budget, Yorkshire Forward and the erstwhile Strategic Rail Authority, with work managed by SYPTE, Network Rail, Sheffield City Council and former train operator Midland Main Line.

Meanwhile, as part of its franchise commitment, current operator East Midlands Trains is looking to install auto-gates at the footbridge entrances to the station, to protect revenue and improve security for the station’s 15,000 daily users.

But its plans have sparked local concerns over potential loss of a public right of way through the station and the blocking of access to the city’s tram network.

A campaign called Residents Against Closure has been launched and is calling for gates to be placed at platform entrances rather than closing off the footbridge, which is also used by local people to gain access to the city centre, rather than being forced to make a long detour.

 A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains said that full consultation is in progress with all stakeholders before any decision is finalised.

“We will obviously listen to what people have to say,” she said.