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

THE BURNLEY ROAD SECTION Commencing on Whalley Road opposite the Peels Arms (later the Broadway), and continuing east to the Griffin Hotel in the township of Huncoat, with passing places conducive to sight working at points between Addison and Arago Streets, opposite the Old Bank Brewery beyond Alice Street (now Burnley Road gardens), the third to be laid approximately halfway between the last named and the terminus, which will also be laid as a double track. SUPPLEMENTARY We have suggested this reconstruction of the tramway as above, with as little extra double track as we believe to be absolutely necessary with a view to keeping the capital cost to a minimum. Had this not been such an important factor in the financial success of the tramway, we would in the interests of traffic and public convenience, have recommended the laying down of new double track throughout. In preparation of the Parliamentary estimates, the Borough Surveyor will have to allow for the total renewing of all the rails, plus an ample margin for additional setts and concrete foundations as might be required. Although it is assumed that the concrete bed on Blackburn Road, Whalley Road, Peel Street and some sections of Abbey Street will not require additional materials or alterations. It was resolved that this report be approved and then submitted for adoption by the General Purposes Committee. September The Town Council adopted the report of the two Council Officials in its entirety. It was resolved a Bill be promoted seeking powers for the reconstruction and electrification of an extended tramway in the manner laid out in this report, and that Parliamentary plans be drawn up accordingly. It was also resolved the Town Clerk would prepare such non-controversial clauses for the improvement and good government of the Borough with regard to the tramway as he might judge desirable to be included in this Bill, and to submit them to the respective committees which dealt with those matters. October The Town Council received a letter from the Clerk of Oswaldtwistle District Council which included the terms under which they would agree to a tramway being built along Union Road. It was resolved that this correspondence should be referred to the Legal & Parliamentary Committee for further consideration, whilst declining their condition that Accrington Corporation should light the electric standards along Union Road. The Town Clerk submitted for approval the draft clauses that he suggested should be contained within the proposed Improvement Bill, which had previously been considered by the respective committees. It was resolved to accept and adopt these draft clauses for insertion into the Bill. Meanwhile the Legal & Parliamentary Committee with regard to the Tramways Bill, took into consideration the correspondence from Oswaldtwistle District Council with specific regard to the lighting of the standards along Union Road, which Accrington Council had ‘absolutely’ declined to do. With respect to Oswaldtwistle D.C. lodging a ‘petition’ which Accrington regarded as “totally unnecessary”, the Corporation would undertake whatever agreement was entered into. November At a meeting of the Legal & Parliamentary Committee a letter ( dated October 6 th ), was received from the Clerk to Clayton-le-Moors District Council. It read - Dear Sirs, In reply to your letter of September 20 th , I am directed by my Council to ask that your Corporation will include obtaining powers in your Parliamentary Bill for making alterations and additions to your tramway as follows; - 1. That you convert the present line into double track all the way through to Clayton and district. 2. That these lines be extended forward to the Forts Arms via Pickup Street and Barnes Street, or as an alternative via Whalley Road and Sparth Road. 3. That a clause be inserted in your Bill giving Clayton District Council the right to supply electrical power for the purpose of traction, when we are in a position to do so.

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