NEW BRIGG LINE SHUTTLE TRAIN PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO GOVERNMENT

A scheme proposing the introduction of a more frequent passenger train service for Brigg and Kirton Lindsey via Barnetby has now been submitted to the Department For Transport, which is currently considering suggestions from across the country for its Restoring Your Railways Ideas Fund.
The campaigning Independent Brigg Line Group (IBLRG) has informed the Department of its suggested new shuttle service running between Worksop (North Nottinghamshire) and Cleethorpes, serving stations in northern Lincolnshire including Great Coates, Healing and Stallingborough.
The Friends propose this shuttle runs two-hourly, offering Brigg and Kirton Lindsey passengers connections (at Retford) to east coast mainline trains running to London King's Cross, York, Doncaster and Scotland. At Worksop the shuttle would connect with services to Nottingham, Sheffield and other destinations.
In terms of stock for the shuttle, the IBLRG says: "We would like to see a Vivatrain, as based on the Bedford to Bletchley Line. These units are ideal as they are cheap to run, built to a high standard and have a maximum speed of 60mph which is the Brigg Line speed."
Bosses administering this scheme will now consider the shuttle proposal, together with those made for other little-used lines across the country - announcing their decisions in due course.
In support of its case for improvements, the IBLRG points out that this is the 28th year since Brigg and Kirton stations were reduced to a one day a week (Saturdays only) passenger train service.
The group has informed the DFT: "The Brigg Line was once part of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway mainline stretching from Manchester to Cleethorpes via the now-closed Woodhead route, Sheffield Victoria, Worksop & Retford.
"Like most passenger services in the 1960s, it was subject to major cuts; in 1968 the hourly service between Sheffield and Cleethorpes was cut to every 2/3 hours; more cuts came in the mid-1970s and again in 1982/83.
"The line between Gainsborough Central and Wrawby Junction (south of Barnetby) was issued with a closure notice in 1988 by British Rail but held on by the skin of its teeth. By this time the passenger service had been reduced to 3 trains each way on a Monday to Saturday but was formulated so customers had a poor service with few connections.
"On the 1st October 1993 the passenger service was reduced to a 1 day a week service (Saturday Only). This was due to lack of units in the North and low passenger numbers due to the timetable format at the time."

PICTURED: A Vivatrain (left) of the type suggested for the Worksop-Brigg-Cleethorpes shuttle.

The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group
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