Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

the agenda concerned with the line between Gannow Junction and Hebden Bridge, would be deferred for further consideration until the next meeting of this Committee. The Land Committee also met in the month, when the Borough Planning Officer reported that the Property Services Agency had acquired an interest in the land bordered by Eagle Street and Scaitcliffe Street, on behalf of the Manpower Services Commission, in order to construct a Skill Centre and that the Commission had been granted a 99 year lease on this area. At the same time the Commission had negotiated with Hyndburn Council to obtain the lease on an area of land 292 2 metres in area at the junction of these two streets. He reported that in addition the Manpower Services Commission were in negotiations with the British Railways Property Board for the purchase of BR’s freehold interest on this site, and if successful would wish to talk to Hyndburn to acquire the freehold of the land owned by the Council. It was resolved that following recommendations of the Borough Planning Officer, if the Commission was successful in obtaining BR’s freehold, they would sell this land to them at a nominal sum plus all the legal costs incurred by this transaction. The Development Services Committee again met when the DES&T submitted a confidential report, of tenders received for the Reclamation Programme for the derelict BR land in Great Harwood. In accordance with Standing Orders, these had been opened and the lowest received from J. Kimberley (Contractors) Ltd in the sum of £39,340 had been accepted following approval from the Department of the Environment. February The first leg of the semi-final of the Milk Cup on Tuesday, the 8 th , saw Burnley away to Liverpool, and a special departed Nelson calling at Accrington before going on to Lime Street. The fares were £3:20p all classes with no reduction for juniors, although this included bus transfers to Anfield. No alcohol was permitted on this train. At a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee and further to a previous minute, the Town Clerk reported on enquiries made with BR concerning the future of the railway between Gannow Junction and Hebden Bridge, which had proved to be inconclusive. As a result of this he had raised the issue with NELDA. They had elicited a more positive response from BR, in the light of which the Association had been requested to pursue the matter further in conjunction with Lancashire County Council. The Town Clerk stated that he had also raised this matter with the town’s Member of Parliament due to the rumours of closure, because of the effects this would have on the future of the East Lancs Line. It was resolved that the actions of the Town Clerk would be approved, and he was authorised to take whatever additional actions he thought necessary in pursuit of this matter. March On Saturday the 5 th , a Rambler was off to Stratford-upon-Avon, departing Accrington at 07:25, Rishton 07:32, and calling at Henley-in-Arden at 11:06 (18:42), Wootten Wawen 11:11 (18:37), Wilmcote 11:23 (18:31) and arriving in Stratford at 18:30. The return left at 18:25 and was back for 22:19 and 22:26 respectively. The fares were £5:00 and £2:50p for a child. Another Rambler was off on Saturday the 19 th , this time to Lincoln, calling at Gainsborough, Kirton Lindsey, Brigg, Barnetby and Market Rasen. In a letter to the Divisional Manager of BR, Mr T. J. Anderson, MP Arthur Davidson declared he was sponsoring a petition to reverse the decision by BR to withdraw the Sunday morning services and to have these services restored. These had come into force during November 1982, with the winter timetable. He had expressed the view that this could be the first stage in having all Sunday services removed from the timetable. By producing a valid return ticket on the train to London, passengers could have discounted entry into the Ideal Homes Exhibition at Earl’s Court, which opened on March 8 th , and would run through to April the 4 th . April On Saturday the 2 nd , one of the most ambitious of Rambler excursions departed from Accrington at 06:20, Rishton 06:27, for Cardiff 11:10 and Swansea at 12:15. The fares of £8:00 for an adult and £4:00 for a child reflected the distances to be covered. The return left Swansea at 18:20, Cardiff at 19:20 and was back for 8 minutes past midnight in Rishton and 00:14 in Accrington. Additional services to Blackpool were run on Monday the 4 th , from Accrington at 09:49, Church & Oswaldtwistle 09:52 and Rishton 09:56, calling at Preston at 10:34 and arriving in North Station at 11:04. Or departing at 11:04, Church & Oswaldtwistle 11:07 and Rishton 11:11, calling at Preston at 11:49 and arriving in North Station at 12:21. There would be an extra service returning from North at 20:00. There was also a special to Llandudno on Monday the 4 th , departing Accrington at 08:49, calling at

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