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

best interests of a Municipal Authority to allow a Tramway Company to erect an independent generating station. We may mention that, previous to the decision to purchase their Tramways, we advised Blackburn Corporation with regard to an agreement with the Tramway Company for the supply of current to them, and if the Corporation’s Bill for the purchase had not been passed this agreement would have remained in force. Under the agreement in question the Corporation of Blackburn not only undertook to put down the generating plant for traction purposes, but also agreed to erect all the overhead equipment. The Company on their side agreed to pay for the current by meter, and also to pay an annual rent to the Corporation for this overhead equipment. The Tramway Company would therefore have only been required to find the capital for the electrically powered rolling stock, a comparatively small matter, which they would have undertaken without any outside financial assistance. We have also advised the Corporations of Ashton-under-Lyne as well as Tynemouth, North Shields as to the terms for the supply of current to the Tramway Companies working in their districts, and satisfactory arrangements have been arrived at. In both the latter cases however, the Tramway Company has agreed to find capital for electrical equipment subject to the granting of new licences by the Corporation for such a term of years as would justify the necessary expenditure. There are three methods by which the Corporations of Accrington and Haslingden could immediately obtain the benefits of electrical traction, and at the same time retain the supply of current in their own hands – (1) By a joint scheme of purchase. (2) By erecting the necessary electrical equipment, and then setting reasonable terms with the Tramway Company for the purchase of current, and the rental of the overhead lines. (3) By granting new leases to the Company for such a term as would justify their expending the capital necessary for the overhead equipment, and agreeing satisfactory terms for the supply of current. An agreement might be arrived at under any of these three headings, and it is advisable that the Corporations of Accrington and Haslingden should consider a joint scheme, because the amount of tramway in either Borough is insufficient for a profitable independent working. Such a system of joint working has recently been arrived at between Blackburn and Darwen. Bearing on this point, we would mention that within the last few weeks we have prepared for the Corporation in Blackburn a scheme for the adoption of electric traction between Blackburn and Church, and the Accrington and Haslingden tramways are practically a continuation of this system between Intack and Church. Since this tramway passes through localities most favourable for the introduction of electric traction, we consider that both Corporations should follow the example of Blackburn, and we are now of the opinion that the working of this line using electric traction would be a most profitable undertaking. It therefore appears to us that the present time would certainly be a favourable one for the Corporations of Accrington and Haslingden to consider whether they will purchase the Tramways and jointly undertake to work them, or otherwise whether they would be prepared to allow such terms to a Company as will encourage them to expend the capital necessary for the introduction of electric traction. In order to demonstrate the advantages of electric traction for tramway purposes, we give below the additional capital outlay which would be required at the proposed Electricity Works to deal with a traction load of say 200,000 units. This is an approximate amount which would be required to work an Electric Tramway within your Borough. We also include additional works costs, receipts and profits which might be realistically anticipated. Additional outlay on plant would approximately be extra on Steam Dynamos, on Boilers, steam and exhaust pipes etc and on Tramway switchboard, instrument panel and Board of Trade gear @ £3,500.

158