Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

The Act stated - “If within two years from the date of the passing of this Act, this Company has not substantially commenced the works for the purpose of exercising their powers under this Act. OR if within four years after the date of the passing of this Act this Company has not erected an electricity generating station, sufficient in the view of the Board of Trade, and are therefore not in a position to supply power therefrom, the Board of Trade may order that the powers of this Company conferred under this Act shall cease, as to the whole of or any part of the area of supply, and on any such order being made, these powers shall be terminated accordingly.” The Second Schedule of this Act stated - “Where the Company charges by the actual amount of energy supplied, they shall be entitled to charge at the following rates per quarter.” A. For any quantity not exceeding the equivalent of 100 hours of supply at such maximum power which has been demanded at the rate of 4 pence per unit. B. For any other quantity exceeding the equivalent of 100 and not exceeding 200 hours of supply at such maximum power at the rate of 2 pence per unit. C. For any further quantity exceeding the equivalent of 200 hours of supply at such maximum power at the rate of 1 penny per unit. August The Borough Surveyor having finished a complete resurvey has prepared draft Parliamentary Plans for the complete reconstructed and extended tramway. He and the Town Clerk had gone over them together and presented the following report before the Legal & Parliamentary Committee of the Council under the heading Tramway Reconstruction . THE CHURCH SECTION The Tramway from the junction of Church Street and Blackburn Road to the passing loop at the foot of Eagle Street to be laid as double lines in place of the present single line, and from this point to the top of Ernest Street in Church the lines to be reconstructed but to the current layout. Then double lines from Ernest Street to Market Street. THE OSWALDTWISTLE SECTION The lines to be built up Market Street in Church into Oswaldtwistle to a point on Union Road to the foot of New Lane opposite the Holy Trinity Church. This section will include seven passing loops which should be placed as far apart as possible, but to enable this section to be operated by sight. THE CLAYTON-LE-MOORS SECTION From the junction of Blackburn Road with Peel Street double lines which will continue along Whalley Road to the Peel’s Arms Hotel (at the foot of Burnley Road), and from this point single line to the passing loop in front of the Castle Inn. Then, owing to the steep nature of Milnshaw Brow, it is suggested a double line be continued to the existing loop opposite the junction with Lime Street ( later road ). The new line would then to continue in the present layout to the Clayton-le-Moors terminus, with the exception of the passing loop between the Load of Mischief public house and the Hare & Hounds. It is recommended that this loop be lengthened by approximately twenty feet, so as to allow the traffic between Blackburn and Burnley to pass freely through the crossroads, even when tramcars are standing there. THE BAXENDEN SECTION Commencing at the junction of Blackburn and Peel Street by a double line as it is at present, then to a proposed new passing place to be laid on Abbey Street between the top of ‘little’ Blackburn Road and Warner Street. From there as now, to continue to the next passing loop at the bottom of Adelaide Street, and from there, due to incline and the wide nature of Manchester Road, by a double line up to a point facing the upper gates of Oak Hill Park. From this point to the Borough boundary the layout should be the same as it is at present. It is suggested that trams coming into town from the direction of Baxenden, should approach the Market Hall terminus by way of Abbey Street and Peel Street and that a single line should be established from Peel Street into Blackburn Road round the bend in front of the Levy Brothers shop. This will considerably relieve the traffic in the narrow section of Blackburn Road between the Market Hall and Abbey Street.

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