Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

1967 to 1976 - INTO A NEW ERA ( The first axe had fallen, but the threat of an entire closure of the line through East Lancashire would not go away and campaigners would have to remain vigilant, to try to avoid further reductions in services. ) 1967 February The Planning Committee met on the 9 th , when a member referred them to the “poor” condition of the premises built beneath the viaduct’s arches and the need to tidy up this area off Blackburn Road and back-Edgar Street. It was resolved to refer this matter to the Highways Committee for their consideration. April The first traffic lights to be installed in Accrington during 1928 had been located at the junction of Eagle Street, Scaitcliffe Street and Ormerod Street, in order to protect the ‘blind’ junction under the bridge carrying the railway. It was the general consensus that they had prevented many accidents there through the years, but Accrington Corporation had been locked in a dispute with the Ministry of Transport who wished to take them away. However, common sense had prevailed and they were to be replaced with a new set on either side of this dark area under the railway bridge, which also incorporated a gents’ urinal. June An anomaly in fares had been exposed in that if people from Accrington purchased a cheap period return to London they would pay 93/-, whereas anyone attempting to do the same from Church & Oswaldtwistle would have to fork out 122/-. When asked for an explanation a spokesperson for BR said, “The pricing of tickets is based primarily on the numbers sold from each station, and the demand for this particular ticket is much less than at Accrington. If any passenger from Church wished to travel to London after 09:30 and at any time on a weekend or Bank Holiday, they could travel to Accrington for a few pence and then use the 93/- ticket for each adult and 23/6d per child, which would be valid for one calendar month”. He went on to quash the rumour, that this was part of a policy designed to create a situation which would give BR an excuse to close Church & Oswaldtwistle Station, by stating this was “absolute nonsense”. July At just before 07:00, on Monday the 10 th , two vans in the Colne to Stockport train derailed over the crossing whilst entering Accrington Station, blocking the west-bound lines, this happening only minutes before the Skipton to Manchester train was due. Station staff were summoned to assist passengers down from the west-bound train left stranded on the viaduct, so they could walk along the lines to reach the platforms. An immediate call went out for the Lostock Hall breakdown crane to be summoned, as the spur of the now disused Bury line was also blocked. Fortunately the east-bound line was clear and a freight train along with the Colne trains were able to pass until the recovery was underway. It was announced the additional overnight trains for the holiday weeks which would depart on Friday the 14 th , were for - The West of England, calling at Bristol, Taunton, Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Paignton, Plymouth & Newquay ( scheduled 150 ) departing at 19:00, with a relief train at 22:00, ( scheduled 151 ). To Heysham, for the Northern Ireland boat, departing Accrington at 20:25, Church 20:29 and Rishton 20:35, ( scheduled 162 ). To Liverpool for the IOM, departing Accrington at 21:50, Church 21:55 and Rishton 22:00, ( scheduled 161 ). To Norwich and Great Yarmouth, departing Accrington at 20:55, ( scheduled 200 ). To London departing Accrington at 23:35, ( scheduled 140 ). On Saturday the 15 th , the ‘special’ trains were to Liverpool for the IOM, departing Accrington at 07:27, Church 07:30 and Rishton 07:35, ( scheduled 166 ). To London departing Accrington at 07:40, ( scheduled 142 ). To Bournemouth departing Accrington 08:00, ( scheduled 202 ). To London departing Accrington at 07:40, ( scheduled 142 ). To Scarborough, Bridlington, Filey and Filey Holiday Camp departing Rishton at 10:12, Church 10:16 and Accrington at 10:24, ( scheduled 201 ).

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