TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Brigg folk are being urged to attend a public meeting in the Angel Suite on Saturday (10.15am) to press for the return of a meaningful passenger service, so we can get to places like Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Gainsborough and Sheffield during the week...not just for a few hours on a Saturday, as is currently the case.
The more people who turn up and pledge support for better passenger services calling at our station in Brigg (pictured), the greater the chance of train operators being persuaded to come onboard.
Edward Richardson, from Upton, is to chair the meeting - 'supported' by Brigg's own Coun Tom Glossop.
A meaningful passenger service would also benefit people in Gainsborough, Kirton in Lindsey and surrounding villages in West Lindsey. So those communities are expected to be represented in Brigg at Saturday's forum.
The enthusiastic Edward says: "Gainsborough (Central) Station will be a new Clapham Junction, if a public meeting at Brigg has it's way.
"Improved train services from Gainsborough (Central) to Kirton Lindsey and Brigg will be discussed at a meeting in Brigg on Saturday morning. This line runs from Sheffield to Grimsby and Cleethorpes via Worksop and Retford.
"Access to Robin Hood Airport, with a new station at Finningley, are amongst suggestions to vastly improve access to the airport from Nottingham, Sheffield, Gainsborough, Lincoln and Grimsby.
"All trains will run into Central station in the middle of Gainsborough, giving convenient 'interchange' facilities for travellers. Main line rail interchange is already available at Doncaster, Retford, Sheffield and Nottingham, and a direct service from Lincoln to London has already been approved.
"There will be calls to extend Robin Hood Line trains from Nottingham via Mansfield to Worksop, and for them to continue into Gainsborough (Central), then on to Doncaster by way of Robin Hood Airport - a case of Robin Hood to Robin Hood.
"Recent improvements on the Robin Hood Line will see Sunday services starting in December, and these Sunday trains would be ideal for taking travellers to and from Robin Hood Airport. Younger people and those with families see a Sunday service from Sheffield via Gainsborough (Central) to Cleethorpes as being ideal for a day out by the seaside.
"Connections via the Barton Line and Humber Bridge give access to Hull from a wide area of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire not served at present.
"There will also be suggestions to reopen stations in North Nottinghamshire at Beckingham, Walkeringham and Misterton; and in Lincolnshire at Cherry Willingham, Reepham, Caistor and Knaith Park."
Edward describes Saturday's forum as a joint venture between Brigg Town Council and Gainsborough Constituency Liberal Democrats.
Further details from Edward Richardson. Tel 01427 838450, or 0770 8466485. E-mail: richardson4u@waitrose.com