DOZENS of rail passengers and residents have formally objected to plans to install automated ticket barriers at York Station.

A public consultation on the proposals began last week, and 43 letters or emails of complaint had been submitted by yesterday afternoon.

Micklegate Planning Panel has also formally opposed the plans, following a meeting at Clementhorpe Community Centre on Monday night.

Andy Chase, clerk of the planning panel, said: “People are concerned about the impact, particularly of the 6ft glass barriers.”

Mr Chase is also standing in York Central for the Green Party at the next general election. In that role, he plans to contact National Express East Coast (NXEC) requesting a public meeting, where people can air their concerns and discuss the issue fully.

He said: “We would like to have some dialogue with NXEC and invite them to come to speak to people about their plans and how they would work.”

As reported in The Press, two campaign groups have already been launched to oppose the plans and, on the City of York Council website, residents from around the city and beyond have been having their say.

One, Philip Morris of Clifton, said the station’s “architectural splendour” encouraged tourism, and wrote: “To dilute the magnificence of the station with barriers will not only impair the beauty of the station, it will also eventually damage tourism to a city that is heavily dependent upon this as a source of income.”

Another, Tina Walker, of Nether Poppleton, wrote: “York Station is an impressive building and new ticket barriers will detract from its appearance.

“Overall, the plans to introduce ticket barriers seem a step backwards – making life for a wide variety of travellers less pleasant.

“In an age when we should be encouraged to use public transport, it seems perverse to make its use more difficult.”

Lucy Adlington, of Holgate, said the station should “work for the people, not just the train operators”. She said: “I often walk through the station – it would be a shame to have this access limited.”

Neil Smith, of NXEC, said the company would not rule out a public meeting at some stage, but it would be premature to hold one before a decision on the application had been made.

The firm has said the barriers, which will each admit up to 33 passengers a minute, will reduce fare-dodging and improve security.

Anyone wishing to formally support or object to the plans can do so via the planning section of the council’s website at www.york.gov.uk – the application number is 08/02755/LBC.