LONG STAY FREE CAR PARKING AVAILABLE IN BRIGG BUT HOW MANY VISITORS & SHOPPERS KNOW IT'S THERE?

Drivers visiting Brigg town centre who possess a bit of local knowledge are now finding it easier to park for lengthy spells... free of charge and without getting a ticket from the meter.
This follows North Lincolnshire Council's relocation of employees from its Hewson House offices and depot on Station Road to local authority-owned locations in Scunthorpe.
The picture seen above was taken around noon on a recent weekday.  
When Hewson House was fully staffed, any vacant spaces on Station Road (nearest to the town centre) tended to be occupied by members of the public visiting the nearby office block and sometimes by van drivers making deliveries and collections.
But the council's decision to wind down operations at Hewson House has removed the need for casual visits of this kind - leaving parking spaces free for drivers visiting local businesses.
The council has now agreed in principle to work with a partner, or partners, to develop new housing for people aged 55+ on the Hewson House site and adjoining land stretching as far as the railway station (Holland Park excluded).
It may take years before this project gets from drawing board stage to buildings being available to rent or buy.
Meanwhile, would the council consider some local signage and social media publicity to inform motorists that free long stay parking is available along Station Road?
These extra spaces could prove particularly useful on days when the town sees major events which test the capacity of the Old Courts Road and Angel car parks.
An obvious example is the Friday evening Christmas Lights switch-on ceremony held in late November.
Some of the monthly farmers' markets, particularly in summer if the weather is sunny, also place heavy demand on the town's existing municipal car parks.
Local knowledge means many Brigg motorists will be aware that Station Road is a parking option - more so now the offices have been wound down.
But this is unlikely to be the case for many shoppers who come to town from elsewhere in North Lincolnshire or even adjoining counties.
The last thing Brigg wants is for these very welcome visitors to be put off coming again because they had to spend a long time driving around the Old Courts Road car park trying to spot an available space.
On major event days a few temporary prop-up signs on the A18 directing drivers to the free parking available on Station Road would certainly help, as would 'Free Parking' signs near the entrance to Station Road. 

The Hewson House offices in Brigg - now closed.