Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

(3) It was further resolved that copies of this report should be forwarded to the six County Councillors, drawing their attention to the importance that Hyndburn Borough Council attaches to this programme. November George Slynn was extremely critical of the Tory Government’s transport policies. He said “Accrington’s Railway Station is a disgrace to the town, a costly shambles and part of a policy to make the railways unattractive to passengers and freight, in order to drive more onto the already overcrowded roads. This was in direct contradiction to what was happening with our European partners”. Both Ian Ormerod and Bill Pinder were supportive of Councillor Slynn in describing the station as, “uninviting to visitors”. 1995 February At a meeting of the Technical Services Committee, the DofTS submitted a report on the results of the study undertaken by Consultants Oscar & Faber, on developments on the Preston to Colne railway line, also the Bolton to Clitheroe line. He stated that this study had been initiated by Regional Railways - North West, in conjunction with Lancashire County Council and the District Councils of North East Lancashire, to consider the improvements that could be made to the rail services in East Lancashire. The findings of this study were contained in this report and it was resolved to endorse the details as outlined, and the Director of Technical Services was authorised to represent Hyndburn Council on any working parties set up to consider improvements to railway stations and to their approaches. The Development Services Committee also met, when the DofTS presented a report on the progress of the East Lancashire Railside Revival Scheme’s programme for 1994/95, and following consideration it was resolved, that subject to the funds being made available through the Railway Authorities, from British Gas and LCC, the following partnership schemes would be approved - a) The cleaning and repainting of the ‘Iron Bridge’ N o 33 at the foot of Marlborough Road in Accrington. b) The lowering of the road surface under the BR Bridge N o 21 over the Coach Road in Oswaldtwistle, to add weight to its being classed as a ‘listed structure’, at an estimated cost of £13,000 including a contribution of £2,000 from Hyndburn Borough Council. c) That the anticipated under-spend of the 1994/95 Facelift Programme should be directed to the East Lancs Railside Revival Programme, in order to fund these two schemes. d) Also for this Council’s sole financing of the cleaning and netting of the BR Bridge over Scaitcliffe Street in Accrington, this being listed within the Revival Programme at a total cost of £3,810. March A 35-year-old Oswaldtwistle man had to have part the lower part of his right leg amputated after he was hit by a train whilst taking a shortcut near to Church & Oswaldtwistle Station. As the train approached he slipped and fell and was unable to move away in time. A driver of another train discovered him at 23:40 and called the emergency services, after he had lain on the line for over half an hour. Police were waiting to interview him about the criminal offence of trespassing on the railway. It was stated he was lucky to be alive as most people hit by a train are killed outright. On Saturday the 18 th , there was some excitement amongst the railway enthusiast fraternity when the ‘Norseman’ steam special came through Accrington en route from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Manchester. It was the first time a steam train had passed along the East Lancs Line since the visit of Britannia Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell some twenty-three years previously. Mr Melvyn Chamberlain, head of the tour company who had arranged this excursion carrying 300 enthusiasts, said they were planning a repeat of the trip on May 6 th , which would on that occasion pick up passengers in Blackburn. April At the beginning of the month a project costing £¼ million would commence to make improvements to Accrington’s Railway Station. These would include improved lighting, platform resurfacing, new waiting shelters, repairs to the fencing and better facilities in the booking office. This work was to take place after midnight and before 06:00 during the week, and between midnight and 08:00 at the weekends, so as to minimise inconvenience to passengers. Nearby residents were given a guarantee that noise would be kept to a minimum during these works. This was a joint initiative between Hyndburn Council, LCC and BR. A 40-year-old man who fell under the Colne to Blackpool train received fatal injuries one Saturday morning. He had been spotted walking along the tracks where they pass over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the west of Church & Oswaldtwistle Station. Acting Inspector Pickering said the train

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