Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

of judgement. It should be the opinion of you, the jury, that the driver of this engine was in no way to blame for this terrible accident”. A verdict of accidental death was his recommendation and this was duly recorded. Mr Pickering on behalf of the LMS expressed its sincerest condolences to the widow and family. The Town Council met again in February, when the Town Clerk reported he had received a communication from the Town Clerk of Nelson on the subject of the inadequacies of the passenger services on the entire East Lancashire Line of the LMS Railway, particularly during the summer months. He had suggested a ‘joint’ action for obtaining better facilities and that a conference of representatives of the local authorities might be held at a convenient time and place. It was resolved that Accrington Corporation would be willing to take part in such a conference, and that this meeting could be held in the Town Hall. June At a meeting of the Town Council attention was again drawn to the ‘serious’ lack of facilities for booking at the town’s Railway Station, which was causing much annoyance and inconvenience to the travelling public. The Town Clerk was authorised to communicate with the LMS requesting that steps should be taken with a view to improving the existing arrangements, and especially so before the commencement of the summer holidays. July Meeting again the Town Clerk submitted a reply to the Town Council from the LMS Railway Company, to the representation made by the Council with reference to the perceived deficiencies in the booking facilities at Accrington Railway Station. It stated that everything possible would be done in order to prevent problems during the forthcoming ‘Wakes Weeks’. It also stated that the question of a permanent overall improvement in accommodation was “still under consideration”. August The General Works Committee received a letter from the LMS, which enclosed a form of undertaking to be executed by the Corporation, in which they would offer to maintain the roadway over their railway at Strawberry Bank where it had been disturbed by the laying of ducts and cables, for a period of twelve months from the date on they were laid. Also to bear any additional expense incurred by the Railway Company, in maintaining such bridge works arising out of the ducts or mains being laid across the bridge. It was resolved that an undertaking would be given accordingly. September , The Town Council met when the Town Clerk read a communication from the Accrington & District Trades and Labour Party, calling its attention to the lack of facilities and accommodation at the town’s LMS Railway Station during the districts recent ‘Wakes Weeks’. It was resolved that the Town Clerk should again write to the Railway Company pointing out that the arrangements on this occasion were ‘unsatisfactory’, whilst protesting particularly about overcrowding of trains, resulting in passengers having to travel under the most inconvenient of conditions, many to their great discomfort and in many instances where long distances were involved, to the detriment of their health. December The Town Council again met when the Town Clerk read out a letter from the Chief General Superintendent of the LMS Railway Company, with further reference to the facilities at Accrington Railway Station. It intimated that following an inspection by the General Manager and himself, he had been instructed to inform them that at the present time the Company could not see their way to incurring heavy expenditure on carrying out extensive alterations to the facilities in Accrington. It was resolved yet again to approach the Railway Company, as this reply was viewed as “very unsatisfactory”. Representatives from the LMS were asked to meet with members of the Council for the purpose of further discussing the situation. The following members were selected to represent the Council - the Mayor, Aldermen Dewhurst and Higham, along with Councillors Constantine and Slack. 1926 January A letter was received from the LMS at a meeting of the Town Council intimating that a meeting would be held with the deputation appointed by the Council ‘early’ in the New Year. February Town Clerk reported to a meeting of the Town Council, that he had received a communication from the General Superintendent of the LMS stating he would meet with the representatives of the Council in three days’ time. April The Library Committee met when it was resolved to accept with thanks, an offer from the LMS to display twenty of their original railway posters in the lecture room of the Public Library on St. James Street during September and October next.

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