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

June On the 5 th , several resolutions were passed by the Transport Committee including the choice of livery for the new electric cars. This was to be bright red and cream, with orange/brown roofs. This would be lined out in gold on the red and brown on the cream panels. The Borough Surveyor reported to the Electrical Sub-Committee, that he and two Councillors had met ‘in emergency’ with representatives of Oswaldtwistle District Council in their Town Hall. This was to discuss a misunderstanding that had occurred over a portion of track between Rhyddings Street and Mill Street along Union Road. It appeared that Oswaldtwistle Council was under the impression that this length would be laid as double line, whereas it was actually being laid as single line and they had not given their permission for this change of plans, due to not having been consulted! The Town Clerk suggested that subject to the approval of this Sub-Committee, the deputation had made an offer to Oswaldtwistle D.C. to this effect - the Corporation were willing to carry out their Parliamentary plans in their entirety. Alternatively, if the line between these two streets was kept as single line, the Corporation was willing to put in an additional passing place at, or near to, the end of Rhyddings Street if called upon by the District Council to do so. In any event an additional fixed stopping place would be situated in this location, and the Corporation would be obliged to maintain the road surface on this stretch as they would have been had the track been laid down as doubled as contained in the Parliamentary plans. The actions of this Sub-Committee were confirmed and the Borough Surveyor was instructed to see granite paving to the full width of the road on this section was put down. It was further resolved that painted side boards should be fitted to each car, displaying their destinations. Another resolution passed was that notices would be displayed inside each car to ‘prohibit spitting’ and also ‘smoking’ on the lower decks of all cars, whilst requesting that smokers only occupy the rear seats on the upper decks of double deck cars, also that the Manager’s name would have to be displayed in suitable places on the outside of the cars. A Compensation & Insurance Sub-Committee met to discuss the estimated amount of salaries and wages to be insured by the Corporation from July 1 st for the period of one year, was £19,500. This included £6,000 for pavers and labourers engaged in working on the tramway. A meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee heard a letter read out by the Town Clerk from Oswaldtwistle District Council, in which they accepted the Corporation’s suggestions with regard to the section of Union Road between Rhyddings Street and Mill Street. A report was also received from Mr Pilling on the progress being made at the Brush Works in Loughborough on the progress being made in the construction of the Accrington cars. The Clerk to Clayton-le-Moors Urban District Council wrote calling the Corporation’s attention to the tramway standard, which had been erected on a narrow stretch of footpath on Whalley Road on the northern side of King Street. It was requested the Corporation set back the ‘rubble’ wall at this place as the owners had given their consent. It was resolved that Clayton UDC should themselves set this wall back, or failing this the Corporation would agree to moving the standard to another place or position it up against this wall. A letter was received from Church District Council requesting payment to them for the concreting work they had done on Market Street prior to the construction of the tramway. The Town Clerk was authorised to reply, that in view of the very heavy costs incurred by the Corporation in the construction of the Church to Oswaldtwistle section in the purchase of property for the streets widening, the Corporation could not make any extra provision for expenditure over and above that already contained in the Statute. The Committee then considered tenders for the supply of a Tower Wagon for use during the tramway work. It was resolved to accept the lowest price submitted of £71 – 10s – 0d from Messrs S. Rawlinson of Blackburn. The Committee then accepted the tender of Belliss & Morcom Ltd, for a year’s supply of Cylinder Oil @ 1/10d per gallon, subject to a test to ascertain that it was of satisfactory quality. Again and subject to a suitability test, the tender of 1/6d per gallon for Crank Chamber Oil was equally divided between the firms of Messrs John Peters & Co., and Messrs Belsey & Co. A report was received from Mr James Wilson, the Tramway Manager, in which he outlined the staffing of the ‘new’ tramway and the services to be operated when the system was fully operational. This was passed on to the Sub-Committee for their consideration. It was also passed to the Sub-Committee the duty of appointing of a car shed foreman. This Sub-Committee then considered the subject of obtaining insurance against fire and accident. A letter was received from the Brush Engineering Co., in which they quoted the sum of £3 – 15s – 0d per new car, for the fitting of Mallin’s Sanding devices, but a decision on this matter was postponed. The Borough Treasurer then submitted accounts for the Tramway Department, which showed a ‘small

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