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

construction of the tramway extension through Oswaldtwistle, it was resolved that with the approval of the Board of Trade a double line should be laid along Market Street in Church from the junction of Blackburn Road to the entrance of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company’s goods yard just below Church Railway Station. This Committee then discussed the ‘desirability’ of including in the plans an additional turnout line on the widest part of Peel Street. This was followed by a discussion on the appointment of a Clerk of Works to oversee the electrification of the tramway. The Borough Treasurer was then authorised to obtain all the ledgers necessary for keeping the ‘new’ tramways accounts etcetera. A letter was received from the Town Clerk of Haslingden, asking what arrangements would be made with respect to running the service between the Borough Boundary and the Commercial Hotel in Haslingden town centre. It was resolved the Town Clerk would reply to the effect that arrangements would be made with the Steam Tramway Company, for a continuation of service until the time when the lines were taken up. The Town Clerk reported he had obtained from the tenants of the Corporation’s properties on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle, signed agreements stating they would vacate them before February 9 th , so that demolition work could commence. He had allowed them two weeks rent as compensation. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Accrington Steam Tramways Company, the contents of which are as follows – Dear Sirs, The date is rapidly approaching when your Corporation has the right under the agreement dated April 5 th , 1886, to purchase certain rolling stock and property from this Company. I wish to state that my Board will be pleased to receive from your Borough Engineer, the valuation he has placed on the eleven engines and eleven cars as defined in Clause 18 of this agreement at the first available time. These were also mentioned in the supplemental lease dated June 7 th , 1888. As the quantity of stores and spares in hand varies from time to time, I assume it would be agreeable to your Corporation that the quantities taken over, should be those in stock on the date of the takeover of the engines and cars, and that the value including that of the loose tools should be paid for at ‘book’ value. Yours, Joseph Wilson, (Town Clerk). It was resolved the Town Clerk should reply by asking - 1. How many of these engines and cars are still running in service, the cost of each one and the dates on which they were purchased? 2. The dates of purchase may vary as some of these engines and cars were obtained in order to replace some of the original fleet which had become worn out. The price and these dates will be necessary in order for the Borough Treasurer to ascertain their proper value. 3. It would also be necessary to ask the Steam Tramway Company to appoint a deputation to meet with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, in order to discuss arrangements for a ‘temporary’ service to operate beyond the expiration of the lease and during the period when the new tramway was under construction. At a meeting of the General Works Committee it was resolved to accept the tender of the executors of the estate of William Metcalf for the supply of ballast for use on the Oswaldtwistle extension of the tramway, at the price of 3 shillings per load of 27cwts, (1 ton 7 hundred-weights). It was further resolved to accept the ender of 3 shillings 1½ pence per load of not less than 27cwts from Mr A. Rushton of Altham for ballast which may be required for other works connected with the tramway. The Sub Committee then considered the tenders for the supply of wood blocks they had examined, which would be required for paving on the Oswaldtwistle extension and for renewals of the roadway on Blackburn Road in front of the Town and Market Halls. It was resolved to accept the tender of Messrs Armstrong, Addison & Co. of Sunderland, for the supply of Creosoted Beech Blocks 6 inches in depth @ 10 shillings

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