Pensioners' campaigner Jim Allcroft turned out for last night's monthly meeting of Brigg Town Council in the Angel Suite, frustrated at the lack of progress being made on what he sees as several important issues.
Not the town council's fault he knew - and beyond their remit - but Jim was keen for Brigg councillors to be reminded of the stalemate so they could apply some pressure in the right quarters.
He's pressing to get a start date on the provision of a new footpath from the end of Station Road to the railway station. Lighting is also required in this area.
Nothing concrete agreed here - pardon the pun! - after two years of talks and letters!
The state of footpaths in the Spring's Way/Spring's Parade area also need improving, as do the paths linking Brigg with Scawby Brook.
Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs suggested paths in Albert Street should be added to the list.
Having heard Jim's extensive update, Coun Ann Eardley complemented him on his diligence to the cause.
Coun Mike Campion agreed, saying railway representatives had even denied a meeting had taken place over the station approach issue, despite the fact he'd attended it, with others!
Jim Allcroft claimed some of the correspondence between North Lincolnshire Council and Network Rail had been directed to a member of staff who does not appear to exist (or at least work there any more).
The town council will again press North Lincolnshire Council and Network Rail for action. Ian Cawsey, the Brigg and Goole MP, is being kept in the loop over the station approach (again, pardon the pun!)
Jim's terrier-like qualities are well-known in Brigg and beyond, and here's a hint from Brigg Blog for council/railway managers: There's no chance of him letting things drop - however long it takes.
I liked his comment at the meeting about who supplies electrical power to the street lamp near the station. According to Jim, NLC and Network Rail could not agree. Network Rail initially said they were and later said that thay had cut the wires to the lamp years ago.
ReplyDeleteIn all this fog of intrigue, the salient point appears to have been lost within NLC/Network Rail - the light bulb has gone out and needs changing to illuminate the area.
Another side-splitting moment, if it wasn't so serious, was who owned Springs Way and therefore responsible for re-paving. NLC Highways Dept claimed it wasn't theirs, as the 'don't own concrete roads.' Meanwhile, Jeanette Wollard had established that NLC do own the road under NLC's Estate budget, who do own concrete roads!!!