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

these, and will be construed together as one instrument.

(5) The Contractor shall and will commence work within 7 days from the receipt of notice from the Borough Engineer, and will proceed with these works with all due dispatch, until with the satisfaction of the Borough Engineer the contract is completed. February At a meeting of the Electrical & Parliamentary Committee the Town Clerk reported on the meeting he the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had held with a deputation from the Accrington Steam Tramway Company, at which the subject of temporary running arrangements whilst the tramway reconstruction was taking place, and those beyond the expiry of their lease. It was suggested the Company should continue to work the tramway as one undertaking on the division of the balance in gains of revenue. This was to be divided as 53/84ths to the Steam Tramway Company and 35/84ths to the Corporation, as these fractions represented the respected capitals of the two bodies in the ‘joint’ undertaking, this revenue not to include any expenditure beyond that absolutely necessary to continue to earn revenue in operations. This to reflect that, as given lengths of the Corporation’s tramways go out of use due to the reconstruction, the Corporation’s share of the revenue would diminish proportionately. It was resolved to adopt these proposals. The Town Clerk then reported that whilst meeting with this deputation, he had requested for a speedy conclusion and settlement to any dispute which might arise in connection with the valuation of stock, equipment, tools and materials to be taken over by the Corporation under the terms of the lease. That each side should appoint an expert for this purpose with the Board of Trade to act as final arbitrator in case they could not come to a satisfactory agreement. The Town Clerk also reported that following on from correspondence with the Town Clerk of Rawtenstall, they had agreed to insert a clause into the Rawtenstall Tramways Bill of the current session to the effect that powers granted would not allow them to exercise running powers over Accrington’s tramways without the written permission. A letter was received from Oswaldtwistle District Council asking if it was possible to utilise the tubular tramway standards as ventilators for their underground sewers. Initially some saw this suggestion as a joke, but Oswaldtwistle were quite serious. It was resolved that the standards to be erected could not be put to this use, but, if Oswaldtwistle was prepared to fund the erection of standards which could be used in this way and pay for all future maintenance, Accrington Corporation would not object to them being used for this purpose. However, when they discovered that Accrington Corporation would not be responsible for the cost of their upkeep, the idea was abandoned. A letter was received from Clayton-le-Moors District Council, with regard to the doubling of the lines near to the terminus, their Town Clerk stated that those objecting would approve if the roadway there was widened by reducing the width of the footpath by 1 foot adjacent to the double tracks. It was agreed that subject to approval by the Board of Trade this would be acted upon. At a meeting of the Electrical Sub-Committee, the Electrical Engineer referred to the large capital expenditure he had overseen at the new electricity works, and to the increased capacity the new tramway would place upon it. The Town Clerk read several letters of objection from the residents of Market Street in Church, with regard to the laying of a double line along the roadway. It was resolved that in view of these objections the proposals to lay a double line along Market Street should be abandonded. The Mayor reported that following enquiries it was desirable to have the tramcar wheels made with steel centres rather than cast iron. But this would involve the additional cost of £65 per car. It was resolved that steel centred wheels would be used despite the extra cost. He then reported that following his meeting with a deputation from the Tramway Company, where the subject of temporary running whilst the reconstruction was underway was discussed, the arrangements were agreed but at 55/88ths to the Tramway Company and 33/88ths to the Corporation. The Borough Treasurer and the Secretary to the Tramway Company would be granted out of the revenue earned, an equal share of £50 for their services in preparing their respective balance sheets for the dividing of the profits up to the end of the ‘joint’ operation of the tramway. These terms were approved and then adopted. The Borough Treasurer was told to ‘assume’ the tramway would pay its way during the upcoming financial year, without any charge on the rates. The Tramway Company had written to say they would accept the Corporation’s terms for settling any differences which might arise from the valuation of their rolling stock and equipment.

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