Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

The Aviemore Weekend took place over the 20 th to the 22 nd , the fares being £42:00 and £32:00 for 4 people sharing a chalet, £44:00 and £34:00 for 3 sharing and for 2 sharing £48:50p and £38:50p. These included all train fares and changes of trains in Preston and in Glasgow between Central and Queen Street Stations. The Highways & Transportation Committee met and resolved that Lancashire County Council along with British Railways should be informed that Hyndburn Borough Council appreciated their concerns at the apparent constraints on the short term improvements to rail services in the North West. Also that it considered the replacement of Diesel Multiple Units and improvements to the infrastructure along the length of the Preston to Colne Line were urgently required. December At a meeting of the Development Services Committee, planning permission was deemed to have been granted under the Town & Country Planning Act 1976, for the Derelict Land Reclamation Scheme to landscape the former BR sidings adjacent to Charter Street in Accrington. These had been where the engine sheds, carriage sheds, coaling tower and ancillary infrastructure had been located. Claims were made that due to BR’s policy on cascading stock, the trains which eventually arrived on the East Lancs Line had previously operated in as many as five, or even six, regions on the network. Replying to complaints made by LCC’s Highways & Transport Committee, the Deputy County Surveyor Mr John Whitely pointed out that at the time no new rolling stock was under construction in the country, so even if the County Council were in a position to subsidise some new trains they were just not available. He stated there had been a meeting with the General Manager of BR’s London Midland Region, Mr J. O’Brien, at which Councillor Slynn was in attendance and at which they had received assurances that there was no agenda to include the closing of the East Lancs Line. He had also said that any electrification of the line between Preston and Blackpool did not meet with BR’s ‘profit for investment criteria’. In a meeting with Lynda Chalker, the Transport Minister, they had stressed just how much had been invested in providing park-and-ride facilities at some stations including at Accrington. The Pullman stock was out again for a Christmas special to London on Saturday the 18 th , picking up in Accrington and Rishton the rake of carriages that would include the ‘Hadrian’s Bar’ coach. The fares were adults £12:00 and children half fare. The timings were departing Accrington at 07:29, Rishton 07:34, arriving in Euston at 11:15, returning at 18:30 and back for 22:08 and 22:13 respectively. For those who were less ambitious, or prosperous, on this same day there was a special to Sheffield, with fares at £4:00 and £2:00. This departed at 09:28, arriving at 11:21, returning from Midland Station at 18:00 and was back for 19:46. 1983 ( Not only was the singling of the East Lancs Line causing concern, but also the possibility of the one between Gannow Junction over Copy Pit and Hall Royd Junction in Todmorden, if not a total withdrawal.) January O n the morning of Tuesday the 11 th , it was noticed there had been some displacement of the permanent way close to the viaduct adjacent to Blythe’s Chemical Works in Church. The lines had buckled and sunk by about 6 inches across both tracks. Train services were suspended whilst engineers made an inspection of the lines. Having assessed that the problem could be rectified by the addition of extra ballast, by 17:00 the train service was restored with a 5mph speed restriction so that the track could settle until a further inspection could be made. Whilst the repairs were underway, a bus service ferried passengers between Accrington and Blackburn. The Policy & Resources Committee met and further to a minute of 1981/82, the Town Clerk reported that the Chief Executive/Clerk to Lancashire County Council had been notified by British Railways of their intentions to single the railway line between Gannow Junction in Burnley, and Colne early in 1984, and that Members would remember the strong opposition to this proposal during 1981 by LCC and the District Councils, that this move would affect the viability of the line. However, BR had contended that this would not be the first step towards a complete closure, but a necessary measure in order to reduce overheads designed to close the gap between revenue generated and operational costs, and this would result in the East Lancs Line becoming more sustainable. BR contended that this work was essential if passenger services were to be retained. It was resolved to reiterate the strong opposition voiced by Hyndburn Borough Council to this development. It was further resolved that the other part of

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