Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

down along Eagle Street at the expense of the Property Services Agency. He now requested the Committee’s approval to his actions, as already taken in order to formalise the matter between the Property Board, the Property Services Agency and Hyndburn Council. It was resolved to accept and approve the actions of the Planning Officer and to adopt this policy. There were a whole list of rail/road tours available and these included each Wednesday to the 20 th , either Snowdonia at £4:50p and £3:15p, or Lovely Lakeland at £5:50p and £3:60p. On every Tuesday to the 26 th , Ayr & Burns’ Country at £6:75p and £5:00 or Central Wales at £5:75p and £4:20p and finally, the Cotswolds each Thursday to October 12 th , at £4:75p and £3:20p. The Great Autumn Show was on at the Westminster Hall in London, over the period of the 26 th /27 th /28 th , and a day return to London for this event would cost £8:40p, half price for an accompanied child. The trains were either the 08:30 or 09:15 from Accrington returning at 19:00 from Euston with a change of train in Preston both ways. October On Saturday the 7 th , a Mystery excursion was off with fares at £3:90p and £2:35p for a child. For £1:70p and £1:00 each child, on Sunday the 15 th walkers could enjoy a ‘Rambler’ excursion to Barrow, calling at Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark & Cartmel, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose and Barrow. Between the 9 th and the 28 th , a ‘Twosome’ ticket was available, where two adults could travel for the price of one between Accrington, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Preston and Manchester, (but not Bamber Bridge). Between the 20 th , and the 29 th , the Motor Show was on at Birmingham International (the NEC), and the return fares of £6:00 and £3:50p included discounted entry. Travel was by any train on Saturday and Sunday the 21 st /22 nd , or the 28 th /29 th , or by using a 2nd Class ‘Awayday’ special ticket on any day. An advertisement appeared for a Mini-Weekend in Llandrindod Wells on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday the 2 nd and 3 rd of December. This would include return train fares, evening dinner with entertainment at the Metropole or the Glen Oak hotels, breakfast and lunch, with an afternoon coach tour ending in Shrewsbury for the return train. Passengers from East Lancs would be required to change in Preston both ways. The inclusive cost was £19:65p for an adult and £12:40p for a child sharing. Bookings were required well in advance. November On Sunday the 5 th , the new level crossing gates on Enfield Road in Huncoat came into operation. It incorporated the new ‘continental’ style of barriers instead of the gates which used to stop traffic and pedestrians encroaching on to the lines when trains were approaching. Concerns were being expressed because as these new barriers came down in sequence people, especially children, were nipping across rather than using the adjacent footbridge that connected the platforms at the station. There was also criticism that motorists were not being given sufficient signage to warn them they were approaching a level crossing which could be closing. The Public Relations Officer for BR in Preston had stated in reply, “The old gates were due to be replaced and the new crossing is perfectly safe if used correctly. I cannot agree that the old barriers were any safer”. Between the 6 th and the 28 th , there was a special fare to attract shoppers to visit Manchester. This was £1:50p with children half price, and it was valid on any train after the 08:00 from Colne, (any train on Saturday), and return by any train before the 16:04. The ‘Capital Fare’ to London was again on offer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from the 24 th , to December 16 th , with the fare at £8:00 and £4:00 2nd Class, £9:00 and £4:50p 1st Class on Saturdays only. The one night Mini-Breaks in London were again available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the de luxe 1st Class package costing £27:00, 2nd Class £18:00, or on the other nights £28:50p and £20:00 respectively, with children sharing half price. There were no single rooms available. December The residents of Huncoat were still deeply concerned about the new ‘continental-type’ barriers, which had been installed at the level crossing adjacent to the Railway Station. They stated they had seen people, especially children, cutting across as they come down as many “cannot be bothered to use the footbridge!” Jack Entwistle, the Public Relations Officer for BR in Preston had responded by again saying, he did not accept that the older crossing gates were any safer and it was the responsibility of adults to educate their children on the dangers of the railway, rather than setting a bad example. At a meeting of the Development Services Committee, the Borough Planning Officer reported that the County Council’s Planning Committee had completed its annual review of a rolling programme of

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