Thursday, September 14, 2017

RAIL BOSS VISITS BRIGG STATION TO MEET CAMPAIGNERS FOR OUR LOCAL LINE


Richard Isaac, Northern Rail's Community Rail Manager, visited Brigg station on Saturday (September 9).
He met members of the new Community Rail Partnership, of which the Brigg Line Group is part.
Rail line campaigner Paul Johnson says it was sad to see more evidence of criminal damage and that someone had dumped a gas bottle near the entrance to the station.
Richard was interested to hear about the redevelopment of the station area "but was confused about why it was taking so long."
Last October, North Lincolnshire Council submitted plans for 40 apartments to be built on land near the station, but a decision has still to be made on this application.
Paul adds: "The issues of the vulnerability of the station itself were acknowledged, with Northern now looking at a 15-foot Network Rail-style fence and gate system at the entrance.
"This would secure the station and mean things like flower planters and banners could be placed on the platforms.
"The gate would be unlocked/locked by the signaller in Brigg signalbox on a Saturday morning, as is the case at Gainsborough Central."
Brigg station only receives passenger trains on a Saturday - something rail campaigners are seeking to get extended to other days of the week.




Paul has supplied this handy chart showing how it's possible to make a return trip to Lincoln for a tenner and Doncaster for £11.70p.
Fancy a day out  one Saturday?
Paul says his sample fares chart, including the price charged per mile, highlights the varied charges made by different train operating companies.
"The down side of railway privatisation," he suggests.
Brigg Blog has used the £10 service to and from Lincoln several times and plans to do so again.
You need to change trains at Barnetby to get to the county capital.
Brigg Blog thinks this is good value, although it's possible to travel there and back much more cheaply on the Fridays only Dent's bus service from Cary Lane.
It takes an interesting route through villages like Waddingham and Owmby-by-Spital before joining the A15 near Scampton.


PICTURED ABOVE: Richard Isaac, right, who is Northern Rail's Community Rail Manager, came to visit Brigg on Saturday 9th September. PICTURE KINDLY SUPPLIED BY PAUL JOHNSON.

A gas bottle discarded close to Brigg station