Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

£62million. The L & Y had declared a dividend of 8% which he felt was unfair in the light of the fact that the pay of warehousemen had been reduced by 1 shilling per week, when a £100 share in the Company was now worth £130. At 11pm the proceedings were brought to a close after Mr Henry Duckworth had reminded them of the society which looks after the children of the widows of those who had lost their lives whilst employed upon the railway, and a collection was taken up on its behalf. February On the 17 th , a luggage train was being shunted up the Baxenden incline when a coupling snapped causing six vans to run loose down into a coal siding on the Eagle Street side of the Station. They hit a coal wagon driving it backwards through the sliding buffer stop. Two of the vans and the coal wagon were badly damaged but on this occasion no one was hurt. It was expected that the L & Y would inform the Council shortly, about their intentions with regard to the footpath which crossed over their lines forming a shortcut between Blackburn Road and Willows Lane. Unless a satisfactory alternative was put forward, the Council were prepared to oppose the closing of this crossing, unless a bridge or underpass was made to replace it. On Friday, the 11 th , the driver of the 2:55pm from Preston to Accrington, misread the signals when departing from the new platform at the south end of the remodelled station, running into some wagons standing on the Blackburn line. A van and some wagons were derailed, but none of the passengers for Accrington were injured. March A meeting was convened in the Courtroom in Accrington on Wednesday, the 9 th , when forty ratepayers gathered to mount opposition to the closing of the level crossing over the L & Y’s lines off Dale Street, which they had applied for in their Bill going through Parliament. Opposition was also to be mounted to the stopping up of the footpath which extended from Little Street to the south-easterly fence of the railway’s boundary and to extinguish all rights of way along this stretch. It was thought any expenses in mounting a challenge could be financed out of the rates. A Mr Lang owned this plot of land and he had an arrangement whereby he could compel them to construct an underpass from the foot of Crossland Street, but was reluctant to enforce this as it could incur costs to him, whilst he was likely to receive compensation from the L & Y for surrendering this covenant to them. Councillor Holgate pointed out that this was the only crossing of the railway between Willows Lane and Lonsdale Street, a distance of some 800 yards, and closing it would virtually divide the community into two. The Chairman stated that the L & Y were under an obligation to Mr Lang to construct an underpass some six feet wide, and the Council were anxious to retain the cart road to avoid traffic having to go all the way round. However, the Borough Surveyor, Mr Bell, said that by going down Willows Lane, along Dale Street and the down Grant Street to Blackburn Road the additional distance would amount to about 80 yards. Mr Duxbury was against mounting any opposition to the L & Y’s Bill, on the grounds it would cost between £100 and £150 of ratepayers’ money, besides which crossings were dangerous places which had resulted it fatalities. The Chairman asked, “So you would surrender the town’s right of way to the Company?” to which Mr Duxbury replied with an emphatic “Yes”. Mr Bell reminded them that the L & Y had been toying with this matter since 1867 when they were covenanted to Mr Lang to construct a six feet wide road. A debate ensued as to just how many people used the crossing during the day to go to and from work and school. ( Estimates ranged from 100 to 500, although it was more likely that the former figure was nearer to the truth .) Mr Duxbury felt it was the Council’s duty to force Mr Lang to carry out this covenant, but Mr Holgate said he was mistaken, as an Act of Parliament would enable the L & Y to override this agreement. What was required was for the Council to go to Parliament and make the case that this agreement should be carried out on the grounds of public safety and security, whilst Mr Beasley felt it was the duty of Mr Lang to construct this road at his own expense. Mr Bell pointed out that the Railway Company had already taken out one crossing between Antley and the one at Crossland Street, and were obliged to provide a crossing-keeper to protect the public as they had done in Huncoat, or build a bridge or an underpass. Mr Holgate pointed out that this road had been there long before the railway had been constructed. The Borough Surveyor said it was Mr Lang’s wishes to work along with this Committee, and if they insisted upon having an underground passage he was prepared to enforce it. Mr Holgate said in this he had behaved like a gentleman, for he had disclosed to them all the documents relating to the agreement with the L & Y. They would rightly have to compensate him for the loss of this land and he need not disclose to the Council how much compensation he had received. A resolution was passed that

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