The passenger train service was due to be restored in Brigg and Kirton Lindsey this weekend, but it is now looking like being some time before diesel units again call at these local stations. All trains have been suspended since early January without substitute buses being provided.
In the light of staffing shortages resulting from the Cornavirus, operator Northern reduced, or temporarily withdrew, some of its services in the region early in the New Year (including Saturdays-only trains running between Sheffield and Cleethorpes via the Brigg Line).
With these suspensions and amended timetables due to end very shortly according to the resumption date outlined some weeks ago, Brigg Blog has contacted the company in an effort to discover if passenger trains calling at Brigg and Kirton (and also Barnetby) will be re-introduced from this Saturday (February 19).
A spokesperson for Northern said: "Like any other business, our colleagues can be affected by COVID-19, directly and indirectly, and this can impact the resources we have available on any given day. Whilst we do operate with additional staff it can sometimes be difficult to provide cover for every service.
“Therefore, working closely with Government and rail industry partners, we took the difficult decision to implement amended timetables on some routes from 4 January. While we have worked to minimise the impact of COVID as much as possible, we may still see some short-notice cancellations.
“We’ll continue to be as flexible as we can in developing our plans, bearing in mind the challenging industry landscape.
“We’re advising customers they should check the details of their journey regularly before they travel via nationalrail.co.uk ”
Brigg Blog has followed this advice and sought information about Saturday trains from our station on February 19 & 26 and again on Saturday, March 5. The online result generated, in each case, was "This journey is not available."
Other information displayed following these searches included: "The route is closed. It is possible that the particular route you have specified has been suspended with no alternative mode of travel, such as bus, Tube or tram."
A further message stated: "Timetables are usually approved and set into the Journey Planner 12 weeks in advance, but during periods of extreme disruption, train services may be confirmed in less time.
"You can try checking for the journey on another day, or closer to the day you want to travel."
Brigg Blog now thinks our town's passenger service may remain suspended for some weeks yet, due to continuing staffing issues. That's our personal view, and we be keeping a close eye on the situation in the near future. We will be delighted to report the return of passenger trains serving Brigg and Kirton.
Local people who are thinking of taking a Saturday train over the coming weeks are also strongly advised to visit https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ to check in advance before making their way to the town's station.
In normal times there are three Saturday trains timetabled from platform one at Brigg towards Cleethorpes (via Barnetby and Grimsby) and three calling at platform two to Sheffield (via Kirton, Gainsborough and Retford).
The first train of the day heading towards Cleethorpes is timetabled to leave Brigg at 9.13am. The initial one heading towards Sheffield departs at 11.47am.
PICTURED: A diesel unit in Brigg soon after it had called at the town's railway station on Saturday afternoon, January 1, 2022 - the last day before this service was temporarily suspended (from January 4) with indications it would resume from February 19.