ON BOARD WITH CAMPAIGN

As public meetings in Brigg go, Saturday’s – held in the Angel Suite to call for the reintroduction of a ‘meaningful’ passenger train service – attracted what was a record attendance, certainly for such get-togethers in recent years.
About 50 people – members of the public, railway enthusiasts and councillors – came from as far afield as Gainsborough, Retford and Dronfield to discuss the topic in detail.
Chairman of the meeting, Edward Richardson, from Upton, near Gainsborough, described the turnout as very good and said he felt those who attended were a ‘representative sample’ of the public.
Everyone was keen to see the current service – just three trains each way on a Saturday – improved.
And now the comments made, points raised and feeling of the meeting will be passed on to firms running passenger trains, and to the Department of Transport, which subsidises rural trains, very few of which anywhere near break even.
People from Brigg who got to their feet to express opinions included Town Mayor Coun Michael Doherty, Phil Hewson, David Davies, Jim Allcroft and Coun Jackie Brock.
Coun Tom Glossop, of Brigg, was vice-chairman of the meeting and opened proceedings by explaining how the Brigg line had suffered cuts down the years, reducing it to its current level.
However, he explained major improvements to the track meant the Brigg line was going to be reopened for freight traffic throughout the week, and that created an ideal opportunity to press for more passenger trains.
"I do think this is the ideal time to try to get a meaningful service back on the line," he stressed.
Phil Hewson, a keen supporter and user of trains through Brigg, warned against calling for too much, too soon – and pointed out it would be difficult to fit passenger trains round freight traffic, as some sections of the route are single track.
"Please be realistic about what you are asking for," he urged.
Stephen Gay, from Sheffield, renowned railway author and historian, wondered whether it might be possible to gradually switch some of the Transpennine expresses which go from Cleethorpes, though Scunthorpe and Doncaster to Manchester, and send them through Brigg and Gainsborough instead.
Coun Neil Poole, from Messingham, a member of North Lincolnshire Council, suggested the massive income from freight traffic could be used to help support the ‘less viable’ passenger service on the Brigg line.
After the meeting closed, many people stayed on to talk about railway matters in the Angel Suite, while others visited Brigg shops, the Saturday market and local pubs.
So holding the public meeting in Brigg helped put trade the way of a number of local businesses.
If you missed the public meeting you can still make your views known.
Post a comment on this Blog and we will pass it on to the right people for you, telephone Coun Tom Glossop on (01652) 656744, write to Brigg Town Council, the Angel Suite, Exchange Place, Brigg, or email Brigg Town Council - enquiries@briggmarkettown.co.uk

Pictured above are top table speakers at the public meeting, held in Brigg’s Angel Suite, to discuss rail services. Left to right: Edward Richardson, from Upton, near Gainsborough; renowed railway author and historian, Stephen Gay, from Sheffield; Coun Tom Glossop, of Brigg Town Council; and David Walford, sub-regional rail development officer, Community Rail Humber.