Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

application to allow them to close the level crossing at Huncoat Station on Sunday, March 17 th , from 6am to 6pm for the purpose of relaying the main running lines. The Borough Engineer reported he had corresponded with the District Engineer of the LMS, with regard to the steps being taken to prevent water dripping down on to the roadways at several bridges. May The General Works Committee heard from the Town Clerk, that he had been notified of an application by the LMS to the Ministry of Transport, for the issue of a direction under Section 42 of the Road & Railway Transport Act 1933, that the gates of the level crossing on Enfield Road in Huncoat should be kept closed across the railway and as a consequence open to the roadway under normal service conditions. June The General Purposes Committee met, when the Borough Engineer submitted a report on how many Accrington men had been employed in the contract to reconstruct the Woodnook Railway Arch. He also informed the Committee that the LMS Railway Company’s Engineer had agreed to the inclusion of an inscription plate, recording the date of its reconstruction, the cost to be met by the Corporation. Also ‘certain’ stones would be removed from the old arch on which the original date of its construction was recorded. December At a meeting of the General Works Committee, the Borough Engineer reported he had received a communication from the District Engineer of the LMS Railway Company, which stated they were going to make some improvements to some other of the Borough’s railway bridges, in order to prevent water from running down on to the roadways. This would include a scheme, if approved by Head Office, the complete water-proofing of the Scaitcliffe Street Bridge. 1936 January The General Purposes Committee met when the Town Clerk reported, that he had received correspondence from the LMS stating they were about to commence work on the Scaitcliffe Street Bridge. But before this work began he wished to ascertain whether the Council had any plans for widening the roadway which passed beneath it, and if so did they wish to take this opportunity to have the bridge lengthened? It was resolved to refer this question to the Highways Committee for preparation of a plan for making an improvement. This would be submitted to the Minister of Transport to see what, if any, grants he might make available to them. At a meeting of the Highways Committee also held in January, the Town Clerk reported that in order to carry out the work on the Woodnook railway arch, it would be necessary to have Nuttall Street closed to all non-LMS associated traffic for a period of ten days during February. It was resolved that the Council should apply for an appropriate Order under the Road Traffic Act 1930 (Section 47), for the closing of this highway. The Town Clerk was instructed to publish the intentions of the Council to make this Order, as was required by Law. With regard to the Scaitcliffe Street Bridge, the Borough Engineer reported he was preparing a scheme which he and the Town Clerk would place before the Divisional Engineer of the Ministry of Transport. Regarding the Woodnook Railway Bridge in February the Town Council resolved - (1) That whereas in accordance with Sub-section 1 of Part 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1930, they could apply for powers to close Nuttall Street, or restrict it to works traffic only, whilst the work of bridge reconstruction was underway. (2) And whereas the Woodnook Railway Bridge carries the LMS lines over Nuttall Street and part of Mount Street. (3) And whereas Accrington Borough Council are the highway authority responsible for these highways. (4) And whereas it has been found necessary to reconstruct this bridge. (5) Now therefore, on the 25 th day of January, 1936, as required by the Sub-section (1) of the named Act. (6) The Council hereby order that from the 24 th day of February, 1936, and during the reconstruction of this bridge vehicles of all descriptions other than those directly involved in these works, shall be prohibited from using the portion of the said highway approaching the bridge between the junctions of Belfield Road and Victoria Street. (7) And that the Town Clerk publishes all the necessary notices for the above Order as required by Law.

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