BRIGG INCLUDED IN BID FOR FREEPORT STATUS TO GENERATE 'GREEN' JOBS

Brigg could benefit economically from becoming part of a proposed new Freeport covering the Humber region, if the Government gives the go ahead in due course.
North Lincolnshire authority Leader, Coun Rob Waltham, told the Town Council's February meeting that our town had been included in a submission bid to receive this status, together with the rest of the unitary authority's district.
Associated British Ports set out details of the Humber Freeport bid in a helpful post earlier this month when it launched. One of the aims is to gain investment 'from blue-chip multi-nationals'  and create 'green' jobs across the region.
Sites already identified include the Able Marine Development Park in Killingholme (North Lincs) and the South Humber Industrial Investment site near Stallingborough (North East Lincs) which are both within travelling distance of Brigg and surrounding communities. Read full details here....
The River Ancholme was, for centuries, a busy commercial waterway with various cargoes being transported to and from the town via the Humber and connected waterways. Products sent north via Ferriby Sluice included grain and potatoes.
However, despite having riverside wharves close to the County Bridge for decades, Brigg has never before been linked with the word 'port' as far as we know!
The last cargo-carrying barges to serve the old Farmers' Company site beside the New River Ancholme operated in the late 1960s/very early 1970s. Homes on the Waters Edge estate now stand where the 'cattle cake' feed-making company was based for generations.
When the huge Able development was first discussed some years ago by North Lincolnshire Council as part of the planning process, Brigg Blog suggested the need to ensure public transport links were made available locally.
Given the current 'green' agenda, this seems particularly relevant - unless, of course, the potential workers have bought electric-powered vehicles to replace traditional petrol and diesel models.
The 'green' Freeport bid reminds us that when the 'green' biomass power station was first announced for part of the former Brigg Sugar Factory site at Scawby Brook, a local man suggested that barges, rather than lorries, might be used to transport some of the straw bales along the River Ancholme - unloading not far from the leisure centre. However, this idea did not become a reality.

PICTURED: Riverside wharves in Brigg during the early 20th century, a barge on the New River Ancholme circa 1970 (delivering materials for bank strengthening) and Coun Waltham who announced the Freeport status bid during the Town Council meeting on Tuesday evening.