NEW YEAR 2022 FORECAST: WHAT BRIGG WILL HOPE TO SEE

New Year 2022 gives Brigg Blog an opportunity to consider what the town hopes to see happening over the coming 12 months.
In terms of new housing provision, Keigar Homes will continue building nearly 70 properties on the former Falcon Cycles site off Bridge Street. Work is also underway for a block of apartments very close by on ex-Corah clothing factory land.
Many residents will also be hoping for positive news on the huge Brigg North development, close to the border with Wrawby, which has been talked about for decades. It is destined to provide scores of new homes and will connect with the A18 on Wrawby Road through a new link.
Plans are now taking shape to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June - over four days. Further meetings will be held over the coming weeks to arrange an illuminated archway over the County Bridge and various social and cultural events for residents to attend.s
Brigg users of public transport will be hoping for news of additional passenger train services to improve a basic Saturdays-only provision which has existed since 1993. Close to the railway station is an area of vacant land with planning permission granted long ago for apartments. Will this project finally get off the ground in 2022?
Shopping is very important for Brigg, as are fast food and sit-down eateries. There are a couple of takeaway-related premises in the town which have been empty for a considerable time. 

Brigg was granted a market charter in the 13th century, and we hope to see more traders taking regular stalls on Thursdays and Saturdays this year. More North Lincolnshire Council Food Fests will also be welcome, along the lines of the one arranged to mark the latest Lincolnshire Day (October 1).
Brigg Town Football Club will be trying its best to secure promotion (in May) to the ToolStation Northern Counties East Premier Division.
It's hoped that recent increased interest in playing local Sunday football in Brigg and district will lead to the creation of more teams for the 2022/23 season, starting in September.
Additional leisure use of the River Ancholme - Old and New 'cuts' - would be welcomed by many people in 2022, to supplement what's already provided by Ancholme Rowing Club, Glanford Boat Club and angling organisations.
We still get asked about boat tours of Island Carr, taking in both rivers in Brigg, or even as far as South Ferriby and Brandy Wharf. Boat trips used to be a feature of the Ancholme in Brigg.
Brigg Town Council, with support from the North Lincolnshire authority, is looking to provide adult gym equipment for people to use near the Old River Ancholme and also on the Millennium Green off Elwes Street. This project will come to fruition in the not-too-distant future.
In 2022 we should also see community facilities being used by local groups at Sir John Nelthorpe Upper School, off Grammar School Road.
Road safety measures in 2022 will include the introduction of a new zebra crossing on the busy A18, the location being Ancholme Way near Bridge Street. This is a welcome North Lincolnshire Council initiative.
Perhaps Brigg will never see major employers arriving to offer the number of jobs formerly provided by Corah's, Spring's canning factory and Brigg Sugar Factory (just over the border in Scawby) which all closed decades ago. However, efforts will continue to encourage businesses of various kinds, including light industry, to come to the town where sites and some units are available.

Above all, local folk will be hoping that Coronavirus infections subside across the UK in 2022.
The picture of Brigg (above) comes courtesy of Neil Stapleton.

Brigg Blog wishes its many followers a very happy and prosperous New Year.