Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

Derelict Land Reclamation for the period 1979 to 1984, and that this programme included the following ex-railway sites in Hyndburn - (1) The Accrington to Baxenden disused railway track-bed. (2) The site off Heys Lane in Great Harwood. These were all included on this list for 1979/80. Also in December, the Recreation & Amenities Committee met, when the Town Clerk reported being in receipt of a letter from a Councillor, expressing concerns on the state of the disused railway cutting running through some areas of Great Harwood and suggesting a ‘public surgery’ in order to suggest some improvements. The Borough Engineer reported that under the Special Environmental Assistance Scheme, the former Great Harwood UDC had spent some £37,000 to reclaim the cutting and although the major part of this work had been carried out, several ‘minor’ matters still needed to be resolved. He would be preparing a report at an early time on this subject to present to this Committee. The Borough Treasurer then reminded the Committee, that the Policy & Resources Committee had recently approved the Capital Programme for 1979/80, and if this Committee intended to include a scheme for this ex-railway cutting next year, another project would have to be sacrificed. It was resolved, following consideration of the Borough Treasurer’s report, arrangements would be put in place for a meeting between residents, a Sub-Committee, the Officers of this Council and the Chairman and Vice-Chair to discuss this matter. 1979 January On every weekday between the 15 th and April 7 th , Day Rover tickets were available to all stations on the East Lancs Line after the 08:46 departure from Colne and the 09:30 from Preston, returning by any train on the same day. Another promotion was a ‘bargain’ day return at the single fare to Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson or Preston, which would also run from the 15 th through to April 7 th . The ‘Capital Fare’ was again available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from the 9 th , up until December 15 th , later in the year. The fares were now 2nd Class £8:80p and £9:80p 1st Class, on Saturdays only. The ‘Scottish Savers’ to Glasgow or Edinburgh were also available over the same period on every weekday, with a 1st Class fare of £8:15p and £7:15p 2nd Class. On Saturday the 20 th , there was a special to Leeds departing Rishton at 09:36, Accrington 09:42 and arriving at 10:49. The return was at 17:00 arriving back at 18:06 and 18:13 respectively. The fares were £2:10p and £1:10p. February What was described as a “Semi-Express” service would operate to Manchester every Saturday in February and on March 3 rd , 10 th , 17 th , and 24 th . This would depart at 09:46 and run non-stop from Accrington via Blackburn and Bolton arriving at 10:36, returning at 17:15 and back for 18:11. The fare was £1:50p for an adult, half fare for a child. There was a repeat of the ‘Mini-Weekend’ to Bournemouth on Saturday and Sunday the 24 th /25 th , at fares of £21:10p and £11:20p for a child sharing. This included one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast at either the Broughty Ferry, Fircroft, Durley Dean or Suncliffe hotels, followed on Sunday by a coach tour through the New Forest, and a return at 16:00 from Brockenhurst Station. The one night ‘Mini-Break’ in London was back until further notice and available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at £27:00 for the de luxe package and £18:00 for the 2nd Class version. It was also available on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights at £28:50p and £20:00 respectively. Single rooms were not available during the week but at weekends they could be booked at a supplement of £4:00 on the de luxe package only. The trains were outward by any train after the 07:02 and 08:03 from Preston or on Saturdays and Sundays only, by any train. Bargain adult day return fares from Accrington on Mondays to Saturdays up until April 7 th , were to Blackburn 43p, Burnley 52p, Nelson 70p and Preston £1:05p. These were valid on the 09:15 to Preston and the 10:08 to Colne, no earlier. Similar discounts were on offer from Church & Oswaldtwistle and Huncoat stations. Fares to Accrington were, from Huncoat 20p and Church & Oswaldtwistle 15p. Notice was given that passports would be required for a ‘Mini-Cruise’ to Denmark, which would be departing on Friday, May the 11 th , and returning on Sunday the 13 th . The itinerary would be rail travel to and from Harwich, a bunk in a four berth cabin on either the Dana Regina or the Dana Anglia, for the overnight sail to Esbjerg with a coach tour to Ribe including afternoon tea. This tour would be repeated (3) The old Huncoat Colliery sidings.

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