Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

July To mark the completion of the first phase of the Railside Revival scheme on the 14 th , a plaque was unveiled at Accrington Railway Station by the Mayor, Sonja Bramley-Haworth. She was accompanied by Robert Clark, the Chairman of the County Council’s Public Transport Sub-Committee, and Mr David Brown, from Regional Railways. Since 1989 in excess of £600,000 had been spent on improvements to the Preston to Colne line, with a further £180,000 earmarked for further improvements under Phase 2 of the scheme. On Monday the 18 th , passengers on board the 08:15 Preston to Colne train were alarmed when the train was bombarded with stones as it went through Rishton Station. This resulted in one of the glass panels in the door being smashed. On this occasion the train carried on to Accrington where it was taken out of service. This incident would see the ‘Q Train’ make further visits to the East Lancs Line, as on other occasions a concrete slab had been placed across the tracks and an iron bar had been suspended from an overbridge. A similar incident happened on Tuesday the 28 th , when 16:30 Blackpool South to Colne train was approaching Accrington Station a brick was hurled through a window and even though none of the passengers or the driver was hurt, the train had to be taken out of service. The passengers were taken onward by a later train and police were hopeful they would arrest the culprit as one of the passengers was able to give them an accurate description. August At a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, the DofTS submitted a report containing a summary of the recent discussions between LCC and the six East Lancashire District Councils with the Director of Regional Railways, regarding the railway services in the area. It was resolved that a proposed study by consultants would be supported in principle, subject to further consideration when it was known what Hyndburn’s contribution would be. September The Technical Services Committee met and the DofTS submitted a report in which BR detailed service information and this was noted and endorsed. October The Policy & Resources Committee met when the DofTS presented a report on the proposed East Lancashire Line Study. It was reported that the European Development Fund Grant would now not be available and this would increase Hyndburn’s share up to £6,000, but that this would be spread over two years. It was resolved - 1) That Hyndburn Borough would agree to participate in this scheme at a cost of £6,000, half of which would be met from contingencies during the current financial year, with the balance from the financial year 1994/95. 2) The use of emergency powers would be evoked in order to confirm the Council’s willingness to take part before the January 1 st deadline. Note ( As a result of the Railway Act 1993, the conditions and statutory obligations required that the Train Operating Companies [TOCs], had to deposit intending train timetables with Network Rail who were the licensing authority, at least 84 days before they were published. These had also to be agreed before they were allowed to come into force.) November MP Greg Pope was campaigning for adequate lighting at all of the Borough’s Stations, as it was a factor in why so few females were prepared to travel unaccompanied after dark. Most of the stations in Hyndburn were at relatively isolated locations, but he was unhappy to learn that BR had no funds to carry out this work. It was a situation aggravated by the fact that only one of the stations was staffed and even Accrington’s was unmanned during the evenings. Regional Railways Director for the North West Region, Robert Goudry, had made a written reply to Mr Pope explaining that extra security measures had been planned for Accrington, but until funding was made available nothing would be done. Dissatisfied by this response, Greg Pope was to take the matter up with the Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Ian McGregor. December At a meeting of the Development Services Committee, the Director submitted a report which summarised the progress being made on this year’s programme for the East Lancs Line - Railside Revival Project, and seeking approval of financial aid for the following arrangements, and it was resolved - a) That the ERDF Grants of £5,333 and £9,333 to be offered to Hyndburn Borough Council would be utilised to enhance this year’s capital programme allocated to this scheme.

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