Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

informed of this Committee’s concerns, that this permission had been granted, without first ascertaining Hyndburn Council’s views. However, he did not recommend that any objections should be raised to this amended proposal. It was resolved to accept and adopt the Planning Officer’s recommendations. Further to two previous minutes, the Town Clerk submitted to a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee the following correspondence - a) A letter from the Chief Executive/Clerk of the County Council on BR’s proposals to single the railway track from Gannow Junction in Burnley, to Chaffer’s Sidings in Nelson. b) A copy of a letter from Sir Peter Parker to MP Arthur Davidson, regarding the East Lancs Line in general and more specifically the rolling stock currently in use on the line, (a similar letter had previously come via Mr David Waddington). c) A letter from the Board of BR on behalf of Sir Peter Parker, in response to the Town Clerk’s letter of July 24 th , inviting the Town Clerk, local Members of Parliament and representatives from NELDA to attend a meeting to be held in London on Friday, October 23 rd . The Town Clerk drew the attention of the members to the comments of the Chief Executive/Clerk contained in the last two paragraphs of this correspondence, and sought their views thereon. He then informed the Committee that he had been requested by BR to appoint another representative to accompany him to this meeting. It was resolved - (1) To inform the Chief Executive/Clerk that Hyndburn Council was strongly opposed to singling the stretch of line as identified by them, requesting him in the most robust terms to ask BR to reconsider this proposal. (2) At this same time to request that there would be no reductions in the levels of service on the East Lancs Line. (3) That the Chairman of the Highways & Transportation Committee, would accompany the Town Clerk to this meeting with BR and the Vice-Chair would be appointed as his substitute. There was a ‘Rambler’ to Penistone and Sheffield on Saturday the 24 th , departing Rishton at 08:59, Accrington at 09:05 and calling at Huddersfield at 10:08 (17:36), Shipley 10:29 (17:16), Denby Dale 10:36 (17:09), Penistone 10:45 (17:00) and arriving in Sheffield at 11:12. The return departed at 16:33 arriving back at 18:40 and 18:46 respectively. The fares were £3:20p and £1:60p for a child. On Sunday the 18 th , Blackpool Illuminations were the draw for passengers departing town at 13:53, arriving in North Station at 14:56, returning at 21:30 and back for 22:24. The ‘Motorfair Show’ was on at Earl’s Court between the 21 st and the 31 st , and there was a discounted entry of £1:75p with every BR ticket booked to London from Accrington. Alcohol was strictly forbidden on any football specials, such as the one which departed Accrington at 17:48 and took Burnley fans to Preston for the game with North End. It returned at 21:55 arriving back at 22:24 Rishton Travel Agency, with offices at 16, High Street in Rishton, and at 311, Union Road in Oswaldtwistle, was now an agent where tickets for BR’s trains could be booked. November There was a special to London on Saturday the 4 th , departing Accrington at 07:52, Rishton at 08:02, arriving in Euston at 11:37. The return train left at 23:55 to run overnight to arrive back in Rishton at 04:37 and in Accrington at 04:44. The fares were £11:00 for an adult and £5:50p for a child. At a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee and further to the minutes of an October meeting, a copy of a note prepared by the North-East Lancs Development Association (although not sanctioned by BR), commented on the outcome of their discussions at a meeting held on October 23 rd , between the General Manager of British Railways, the Town Clerk and the Chairman, along with Councillor Slynn, ( who was also a NELDA representative ). Arising out of these talks the Town Clerk drew their attention to the 7 points set out in the NELDA note, along with the two issues raised by the Honorary Secretary, namely their views on the future of the East Lancs Line, which was to be incorporated into a Rail Strategy. It also included whether or not Hyndburn were prepared to make a contribution towards the cost of BR undertaking a marketing exercise in respect of the services. It was resolved that the proposals 1 to 5 as set out in this report would be welcomed but, with regard to proposal number 6, Hyndburn could not at this stage for reasons stated, consider making a contribution towards the £40,000 that it would cost to ‘market’ the East Lancs Line.

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