Historic Brigg railway station welcomed back its first trains for six months on Saturday (September 19) but 'lost' a number of potential passengers because of its most modern feature!
The station dates back to 1848 but the current footbridge leading to platform two is a fairly recent addition. Unlike most on the network - including the one at Barnetby - ours does NOT have gently sloping ramps - only steep steps.
The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group informs us: "We could have got some more passengers on Saturday if it wasn't for the fact that the footbridge doesn't have any ramps."
A woman she would like to travel on the train with her wheelchair, the IBLRG says.
It was explained to her that the far platform at Brigg does not have ramp access and (returning from Cleethorpes in the afternoon) she would have to either get off at Barnetby and secure a taxi back to Brigg or stay on the train until Kirton-in-Lindsey, which has only one platform, and then wait for the next eastbound train back to Brigg.
The group passed on the freephone Northern Rail assistance number for her to use.
"Not surprisingly, the lady and her party decided this was too much of an effort and did not travel," the IBLRG reports.
All Brigg station's original buildings, including the booking hall and waiting rooms, were removed decades ago.
The platforms - build to cater for 13-coach mainline trains - were also shortened for use by modern one and two-car diesel units.
But a few years ago when the Victorian cast-iron footbridge was condemned, rail bosses decided to install a replacement without sloping ramps. This was the less expensive option, although the stepped footbridge still involved major investment in a station which only sees passenger trains on Saturdays.
The cast-iron footbridge was carefully dismantled and taken away to be refurbished and used on a heritage railway in the north-east.
The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group campaigns to get more passengers to use the Brigg line: Twitter @IBLRG - instagram.com/visitbriggbytrain
Trains will also be departing from Brigg station this Saturday (September 26).
To Barnetby, Grimsby & Cleethorpes: 8.59am, 1pm and 4.57pm (from platform one).
To Gainsborough, Retford and Sheffield: 11.48am, 3.43pm and 7.48pm (from platform two).
