Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

(2) To liaise with the other authorities who would be affected by the severing of the connection into Yorkshire. (3) If a closure was proposed, to demand that these authorities are included in discussions with BR, NELDA and LCC. The Town Clerk then presented a copy of the report in question, which had been sent to NELDA’s Chief Executive Committee entitled ‘The Serpell Committee’s Report on the Finances of the Railway’ and also the response of the British Railway Board to this report. He noted that at this stage the Association had reaffirmed their policy to press for the retention of the East Lancs Line in its present form between Preston and Colne, together with the need for improvements to be carried out including the replacement of the rolling stock and electrification of the line. In addition the area’s MP’s would be lobbied for their support for the Association’s goals. The Town Clerk referred to the Highways & Transportation Committee’s endorsement of the six-part resolution, passed at the County’s Conference on Public Transport, whilst suggesting the Members should support the actions taken by NELDA they should also pursue an independent course. His opinion of the Serpell Report was “it appeared to be a series of financial options rather than a public transport strategy”. It was resolved to accept and approve the actions suggested by the Town Clerk, and that it might be possible for the Assistant County Surveyor, Mr Whitely, to address an informal meeting of Hyndburn Council on transport strategy with a particular emphasis on the railways. Another ‘Rambler’ was off to Sherwood Forest and The Dukeries on Saturday the 16 th , and this would call at Kiveton Park, Shireoaks and Worksop. This train would also pick up in Rishton, and the fares were £4:20p and £2:10p for a child. The one night ‘London Mini-Breaks’ would again be available, initially up until April 30 th , with the 1st Class package now priced at £38:00 and the 2nd Class package at £30:00. The month culminated on Saturday the 30 th with another ‘Rambler’, this time to the Northumberland coast via Hexham where a stop was made. The fares were £6:00 and £3:00 for a child and the train would pick up in Rishton but not set down there on its return. May Ramblers were again the order of the day during the month, starting on Saturday the 14 th , with a run to Blaenau Ffestiniog calling at the stations along the Conway Valley, with fares at £5:00 and £2:50p, whilst on Bank Holiday Monday, the 30 th , the trip was to Beverley with the same fares. This also picked up in Rishton and Accrington. June At a meeting of the Highways & Transportation Committee the Town Clerk reminded Members that at a recent meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, its Members had expressed concerned at the apparent progressive running down of BR’s services on the East Lancs Line. Consequently he had been asked to arrange a meeting between representatives from BR and Hyndburn Borough Council, which it was hoped would - “Allow Members to discover the future of this line and of the stations within the Borough, to ascertain the manning levels and to enquire into the condition of the rolling stock.” Subsequently a letter had been received from BR, which indicated that Mr I. J. McCubbin, the Divisional Passenger Manager, was prepared to meet with Members on the afternoon of June 27 th next. It was resolved that Councillors Taylor and Miss Hall, plus three more representatives to be nominated by the Labour Group, would represent Hyndburn at this meeting. Grantham was the ultimate destination of the ‘Rambler’ which operated on Saturday the 25 th . This would call at Nottingham, Bingham, Aslockton, Elton & Orston, and Bottesford. This would only stop at Rishton on the return journey, and the fares were £5:00 and £2:50p. July There was a repeat of the regular ‘Rambler’ along the North Wales Coast to Llandudno on Sunday the 10 th , from Accrington and Rishton with fares at £4:20p and £2:10p for a child. There was another ‘Mystery Trip’ on Monday the 12 th . This departed at 07:21 and arrived at 13:10, returned at 18:00 and was back in Rishton at 23:37 and Accrington at 23:44. It must have covered a lot of ground for the fares were £7:50p and £3:75p for a child. There were several ‘special’ trains for the Wakes Weeks and these included to Edinburgh on Tuesday the 19 th , for £9:50p, and to Morecambe for £3:50p. On Thursday the 21 st to Windsor for £10:00 or to Southport for £3:50p. Another ‘Mystery Trip’ went on Tuesday the 26 th , at £7:50p, and on Thursday the 28 th , there was a special to York or Scarborough for £4:20p. In all instances children were charged half fare.

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