Why do some stations leave automatic ticket barriers open?

[TT-ONR-NRN]

They were just the ones which Northern (and East Coast) specified when they had their first wave of gafeline installation. As I recall, they are also fitted at Manchester Oxford Road and Blackpool North (and were fitted at Leeds).

And Wakefield Westgate.

 

[JonathanH]

And Wakefield Westgate I believe.

Yes, that is an East Coast installation. The gatelines at Newcastle and Peterborough (and former gatelines at Durham and Grantham) have the same barriers.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Yes, that is an East Coast installation. The gatelines at Newcastle and Peterborough (and former gatelines at Durham and Grantham) have the same barriers.

Horrible things as well.

 

[centraltrains]

Moor Street seems to have the barriers open a lot less often the New Street does!

Probably just coincidence in timing, most of the time I pass through Moor Street they're open! Fairly common for Platform 1 to be open when the main entrance is in.

the barriers are always wide open until staff get off break at 18:45.

Were there similar breaks when they use to have human manned podium/gate checks back in London Midland days?