Chaos at station is sign leaders need to fight harder for Sheffield
The carved Wyvern creatures above the arches at Sheffield station have seen a lot since 1870
If dragons could cry, I would fear for the safety of train passengers walking below the falling stone teardrops.
The carved Wyvern creatures above the arches at Sheffield station have seen a lot since 1870.
While I am not one to put words in the mouths of others, I fear that those mythical heads are shaking in disbelief at how bad things are in the modern era.
Half the number of trains to London, less carriages and no reasonable drop-off zone. It is all going downhill - and that's just today.
Recent history isn't any better as any regular user will tell you.
If I was a believer in conspiracy theorists I would think our leaders want to keep us pumping petrol through our cars as fast as possible.
I would also be convinced that the north south divide is anything but accidental.
We must all remember the promises that Boris Johnson made about improving things up here. Of course, it never happened.
Today Andy Burnham moves into number 10 with similar vows. I have hope that he at least understands, that he has lived it rather than just spewing out what will win votes without any intention of implementation.
The Northern Powerhouse is a joke and Sheffield's role in it is far too often the punchline.
The way Sheffield train passengers are treated is the perfect illustration.
I'm travelling to London this weekend. Visiting friends on one side then heading to the other for the Sky News paper review.
I have always taken the train whenever visiting the capital but I'm seriously considering driving this time.
If the cuts to services aren't enough to put you off using what was once our great British railways, good luck getting dropped off at Sheffield station when the parking fines come into play.
I honestly do not know what people who are less mobile are supposed to do.
I also know very able bodied youngsters who chose to drive from Sheffield to Chesterfield and park there before jumping on the train - because it is much easier.
Is that the aim?
Chase Sheffielders out of their own city by making it impossible to move around?
I am a huge supporter of all forms of public transport but I find myself wondering if those who truly believe the council hates cars might actually have a point.
If it isn't true, they're certainly not showing it.
The last system was a joke, yet the council inflicted it upon us for years.
Traffic would get caught in a circle and taxis were forced to cut from one side to the other - it got a reputation for ridiculousness far beyond the Steel City.
Now they have decided to make a change and their solution is to push people further away from the entrance, creating even more dangerous and annoying situations.
It is enough to make you give up. Individually, these issues might not be life changing but when you put them together it is terrible for this city.
Mayor Oliver Coppard will be making a song and a dance about the outrageous cuts to the London service at Sheffield station today.
Everybody needs to get behind him.
Every elected politician and well-paid civil servant should be at his side. That's what their job is - fighting for this city.
They have not done that in the past and that is why, bit by bit, small cut by small cut, the fourth biggest city has been forced down the nation's priority list.
When you are dragging your suitcases across the platform at Piccadilly you might scream in frustration that there is no longer a direct route to Manchester Airport.
You do that because our leaders didn't.
When you wonder why Sheffield routes are slower than others you might not even be aware that we have the largest non-electrified station in Europe.
You suffer because the powers-that-be in Sheffield haven't bothered to raise a fuss when given the chance.
When you have to drive but can't find a parking spot at any of our hospitals you might cry with anger that Supertram doesn't reach absolutely vital areas.
Well, I'll leave you to reach your own conclusion. I could go on. It just isn't right.
Let's not give up the fight or our future generations are going to be facing the exact same frustrations.
Free buses are on the way for under 18s. I pray that sets the tone and shows the route forward rather than being the exception that proves the rule.