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

a. That the 04:20 car from Accrington to Haslingden and its 05:00 return should be withdrawn, and both Tramway Managers should confer with a view to cutting the number of workmen’s cars if at all possible. b. That the 23:20 car from Accrington to Haslingden and the 23:55 return should be discontinued, as the John Street depot in Haslingden was now open. c. That in September the present service between Accrington and Haslingden should be reviewed in readiness for winter. The following letter ( dated May 14 th ), was received from the Town Clerk of Rawtenstall – Dear Sir, Your letter of the 12 th was given due consideration by my Committee and they have instructed me to state, that as your Committee are not prepared to consider through running arrangements between Accrington and Bacup, my Corporation does have an alternative. We therefore renew our ‘verbal’ offer that our two Corporations should run alternate cars on the section of tramway between the Commercial Hotel in Haslingden and Dear Sir, I am directed to reply by saying that the idea of operating alternative Accrington cars between two different termini would be unworkable in practice. It would cause passengers much inconvenience, so my Committee cannot possibly entertain your suggestion. We understand that your system is still not complete as far as Bacup, and will not be so for several weeks, so it would be impossible to put into practice your original proposals. In the face of this impasse, I have to make the following concession in the hope that we might come to some arrangements. That my proposals contained in the letter of May 4 th might be tried for six months at least, or even to the end of the year. In the interim period your system will have got working properly, and it can then be accurately judged as to whether that which you propose can be made to work. As I have previously indicated, a timetable to work along with your system is of vital importance with regard to through running, and you omit to make any mention of this! If our amended suggestion is accepted, we would be prepared after review, to discuss with your Committee before the end of six months an extension of through running to Bacup. By that time it will be known just how much demand there is likely to be for passengers wishing to travel through, in order to justify this extension. Yours faithfully, A. H. Aitken (Town Clerk). The Borough Treasurer then submitted abstract accounts for the Tramway’s Department for the year ended March 31 st last. These showed after depreciation and renewals a credit balance of £793. It was resolved this sum be placed into the credit of the Depreciation & Renewals Fund. June The Electrical Sub-Committee met and resolved to accept the tender from the Callenders, Cable & Construction Company, for the supply of a tramway feeder pillar to be fixed at the Baxenden boundary at Queen’s Square in Rawtenstall. Yours faithfully, J. S. Whalley, (Town Clerk, Rawtenstall). It was resolved the Town Clerk respond in these terms, ( in a letter dated May 20 th ) –

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