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

The Tramway Company had the option to terminate this agreement after 7 or 14 years, with the Corporation having sole right to purchase same at a valuation made by the Borough Treasurer, the Board of Trade being the arbitrator in the case of any disputes. The engines and trailer cars would have to be of such construction, capacity and number which the Corporation would have to approve as well as being kept in good order and condition. The Steam Tramways Company would also be required to indemnify the Corporation against any damage done by either engines or cars, and would also be responsible for highway repairs between 18 inches outside of each of the rails. They would also have to keep rolling stock and engines in good order. The Corporation however could do repairs and claim the costs from the Tramway Company within 14 days of the repairs being completed. The Tramway Company would have to maintain, repair and paint the Ellison Street depot and insure it for the sum of £4,000. Whilst the lease was current it gave powers to use the engines, carriages and ‘horses’ to run over all, or any of the original tracks authorised by the Act of 1882, and any junctions or extensions which may be mutually agreed upon by the two parties. Any disputes arising to be resolved using the powers provided for by ‘The Railways Clauses Consolidation Act of 1845’. 1. The Tramway Company would have to run in service engines and cars of such capacity and construction as the Corporation would approve, and maintain these in good order and condition. 2. The Tramway Company shall not interfere with the rails or crossings without the prior permission of the Corporation. 3. The Tramway Company shall indemnify the Corporation against any damage or injury caused by any of the engines or trailer cars or any of their employees. 4. During the terms of the Lease the Tramway Company shall keep in good order and repair the whole of the tramway, including the paving which extends to 18 inches on either margin of the tracks. 5. If the conditions contained in 4 are not met, then after 14 days the Corporation shall carry out the necessary repairs, and then recover the full cost from the Tramway Company. 6. The Tramway Company will maintain and repair the Ellison Street depot, whilst insuring it for the sum of £4,000. 7. The Tramway depot shall not be used by any other Corporation or Company, or for storage or work on any other cars other than those owned by the Tramway Company. 8. Any disputes arising to be resolved using the powers provided for by ‘The Railways Clauses Consolidation Act of 1845’. 9. At the termination of the Lease the Corporation has the rights to purchase the Tramway, with all its equipment and stock used to operate the system at a valuation given by the Borough Surveyor. In the case of a dispute the Board of Trade would be the arbiter. The Accrington Steam Tramways Company had Mr Cramp as its Managing Director and a Board consisting of W. M. Perring Piage Esquire, S. Yates Esquire, James Kenyon Esquire, and Robert Waite Esquire. The Company Secretary was Mr William Jeffs, and the Registered Office was the Tramway Depot, Ellison Street, Accrington. The Bankers were the Manchester & Liverpool Banking Company of Eagle Street, Accrington. The Auditors nominated were James H. Heap Esq., of St. James’ Street, Accrington, and J. W. Cooper, the Secretary of the Co-operative Society, Clayton-le-Moors. The Council was ordered to affix its seal to the amended lease approving it for a period of 21 years. An advertisement was placed in the local press of the issue of £3,000 in 6% preferential shares in the tramway. In 1886 as operations commenced, a Bill was passed in the Houses of Parliament authorising extensions to be built to Oswaldtwistle and Rawtenstall. This Bill did not contain a provision confirming the Corporation’s lease, but a clause was added seeking to obtain ‘perpetual running powers’ over the Corporation’s lines. It was evident from this that the Accrington Steam Tramways Company intended to

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