East Midlands Railway (EMR) will close access to platforms via Nottingham station’s footbridge later this month after a recent pilot revealed they were making an estimated revenue loss of £80,000 — equating to an annual loss of approximately £1.1 million – from those not paying fares.

The revenue, which is ultimately the taxpayers’ and fare-paying customers’ money, was captured over a recent three-week pilot in November.

The next closure, which will be kept under review, will allow the operator to capture further evidence and data to verify the results of the initial pilot.

It will be closed from Saturday, February 22.

Customers who want to access platforms one to six will instead need to use the main entrance of the station. The footbridge, which connects Station Street to Queen’s Road, will remain a public right of way.

Customers who have previously used the bridge are advised to allow extra time to walk through the station to catch their required service. Access to the tram on Station Street via the footbridge will also be maintained.

During next month’s footbridge closure, EMR will be carrying out a survey to assess how it impacts traffic on Queen’s Road. There will also be extra measures in place around platform 7. 

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director at East Midlands Railway, 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.

“The first short closure of the bridge also highlighted significant safety and security benefits – including three direct interventions to support suicidal individuals. 

“The closure, which will be kept under review, will allow us to capture more data and evidence around the issue.

“Of course, we are aware that this decision will not be popular with some parts of the community, but it is only right to protect the taxpayer and test our analysis and conclusions that were highlighted around safety.”