Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

August The Highways & Transportation Committee met when the DES&T reported, that Lancashire County Council were to introduce a bus/rail ticket to allow cut price travel on both modes of transport. The ‘Red Rose Rambler Ticket’ would come into use from October 1 st , 1983, on the following basis - A. Only weekly tickets would be available.

B. The conditions would be those already covering the ‘Leisure Weekly Ticket’. C. The ticket would be priced at £12:50p for an adult and £6:25p for a child.

D. Revenue would be apportioned as follows –

a) Tickets sold by bus operators – in relation to adult and child tickets £5:50p and £2:75p respectively would be retained by the issuing operator, with the balance forwarded to BR at the end of the financial year. b) While agents were to be utilised, commission would be based on the bus element only, but if the agent was also a certified British Railways agent, commission would be negotiated between them and BR. c) Tickets sold by BR – in relation to adult and child tickets, £7:00 and £3:50p would be retained by BR, with the balance paid to the County Council who would then apportion this revenue between the bus operators. d) Where a British Railways agent was the outlet, commission would be based on the railway element only. e) Where a joint agent was involved this commission would be negotiable. It was resolved that the sale of ‘Red Rose Rambler Tickets’ by Hyndburn Borough Council would be approved from October 1 st , 1983, on the criteria outlined to this meeting by the Director of Engineering Services & Transport (DES&T). Further to a previous minute, the Town Clerk submitted a report on the proceedings of a meeting held between BR and representatives from Hyndburn Borough Council. In addition he reminded Members that at a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee held in March, it had been resolved that Hyndburn would liaise with other local authorities likely to be affected by the severing of the line through to Yorkshire, as a result of which he now set out those replies he had received. On Saturday the 16 th , Burnley was away to Preston North End, and a football special left Accrington at 13:31 arriving in Preston at 13:59. It returned at 17:25 and was back for 17:54. The fares were £2:90p and £1:45p and there was an alcohol ban in force on this train. On Monday the 29 th , there was yet another ‘Mystery Trip’ with the same fares as previously charged. September There was a repeat of the popular ‘Rambler’ to the Cumbrian Coast and Ravenglass on Saturday the 10 th . The fares were £4:20p and £2:10p and it only called at Rishton on the return leg. The following Saturday there was a soccer special to Manchester for Rovers away fixture at City, departing at 12:42 and arriving in Victoria Station at 13:36 and returning at 17:50, to be back for 18:45. The fare was £3:00 for everyone. For the holidays there were special trains to Blackpool on Saturday the 17 th , at £3:20p and £1:60p, on Tuesday the 20 th , to Morecambe for £3:50p and £1:75p, and the following day to Southport at the same fares. On Saturday the 24 th , the ‘Rambler’ was for Pickering also calling at York, with fares of £4:20p and £2:10p for a child. There was a ban on alcohol on the football special taking Burnley fans to Bolton on Tuesday the 27 th , departing at 17:58, arriving at 18:30 giving spectators ample time to walk to Burnden Park. The return left Trinity Street Station at 21:50 and was back in Accrington for 22:24. The fare for all classes was £2:00. October On the 8 th , the ‘Rambler’ was to Machynlleth with the option of going on to Aberystwyth for the same £6:00 and £3:00 fares. There were of course organised walks from the former. Another Mystery excursion ran on Saturday the 29 th , from Accrington and Rishton, with fares at £7:50p and £3:75p. On Saturday the 29 th , the special excursion of nine carriages was to Cambridge, and the motive power from Accrington was 45:120 which was then allocated to Toton Sheds, whilst the return was behind 47:589 of Bescot. November The Wye Valley, the Forest of Dean, Gloucester and Chepstow were the destinations on the ‘Rambler’ which operated on Saturday the 12 th . Unusually the train was composed of a loco and carriages with 47:589 again in charge. The fares were £6:00 and £3:00 for a child, but there was the added

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