CALL THIS BUS TO CONNECT WITH BRIGG LINE TRAINS

 

BRIGG RAIL LINE UPDATE BY PAUL JOHNSON, STATION PORTFOLIO MANAGER, GAINSBOROUGH, RETFORD BRIGG BUS AND RAIL GROUP (GRaB) 

It was lovely (on Saturday, July 30) to see that a poster had been placed at the entrance to Brigg station for the Call Connect Bus Service. 
Once word gets around that you can book a bus to take you to Brigg to connect with the trains, we feel people will use this service more. 
Reading Nigel's Fisher's Brigg Blog, there seems to be a promotion in the town for people to use their bikes to enjoy the surrounding area.
It is noted that Arriva Trains serving Brigg do have facilities to take bicycles and any event using the train to/from Brigg could be promoted in future, just like the railway walks provided by Stuart Parker from the Penistone Line Partnership.  
Another excellent day (last Saturday) passenger-wise on the Brigg Line. The 0803 Sheffield Midland to Cleethorpes via Brigg service was popular with passengers. 
Those who used the Brigg Line used the following stations: 

• Sheffield Midland 7 
• Woodhouse 5 
• Kiveton Bridge 4 
• Worksop 23 
• Retford 12 
• Gainsborough Central 29 
• Kirton In Lindsey 4 
• Brigg 9

Sadly, the removal of the Duo Ticket reared it ugly head again. A family of four boarded the train at Gainsborough Central and were in for a shock when a day return to Cleethorpes came out at £46.20p. They commented to the Arriva Northern guard that they shall not be travelling again at this price.
Lack of a flexible Saturday timetable on the Brigg Line was passed onto the guard again by a number of customers.  
The retimed 1114 Cleethorpes to Sheffield Midland service seems to be having problems now with time-keeping between Barnetby and Gainsborough Central. The average late time at Gainsborough Central is around 5-10 minutes. Extra time is needed between these timing points taken from the waiting time at Retford Low Level, or alternatively the line speed between Brigg and Kirton Lime Sidings could be raised to 60mph from 40mph as it was pre-2008.
The 1203 Sheffield Midland to Cleethorpes service 'gained' a 20-minute delay in the Worksop area due to signal failure.  The train was delayed again just south of Kirton Lindsey tunnel, as someone decided to block the rails with ballast and debris. An emergency stop was required by the driver before all the items were removed. British Transport Police were informed. The train arrived at Cleethorpes with only a 10-minute delay. 
How you can enjoy free membership of GRaB...

N.F. ADDS: The Brigg Line only sees passenger trains on Saturdays - three in each direction between Sheffield, Barnetby and Cleethorpes. Read our feature article about Brigg Blog's day out using Call Connect and local trains.