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

Haslingden Corporation Tramways were fully discussed, and subject to approval the following terms were agreed - a) The agreement to last for three years, and thereafter to be determined by a notice of six months. b) The present mains feeder to be extended along Manchester Road to a meter at the boundary where Haslingden Corporation could connect it to their feeder mains. They would then carry this supply to a convenient central point on their tramway system. c) The rate that Accrington would charge for this would be – up to 150,000 units per annum @1·325 pence per unit, and for units over 150,000 @ 1·275 pence per unit. (This normal price to be made up of 1·25 pence, with an additional price owing to the price of coal being 11/2d per ton as against 10/- per ton normal price.) d) This price to vary with the cost of ‘local’ coal delivered to the generators @ 0·025 pence for every 10% rise or fall from 10 shillings per ton. e) The charge on the cost of the ‘extra’ feeder cable to the boundary @ 0·05 pence. f) Haslingden Corporation to pay for the use of the Accrington cars and services under this tentative agreement @ 4⅛ pence for every car mile run within their borough. g) Accrington Corporation to pay Haslingden £50 per year to store an average of 4 cars each day in the John Street depot. h) At the expiration of this agreement or any extension thereof, Haslingden would take over the feeder cable provided by Accrington at face value, also the two (or more) additional cars to be purchased by Accrington in order to operate the Haslingden service, at a price agreed upon when depreciation had been taken into account. i) Each authority would supply its own tickets for mutual inspections and checks, and parcels revenue would be divided pro rata. j) Any third party accidents occurring in their Borough would be the responsibility of Haslingden Corporation. k) Accrington would negotiate with Rawtenstall for a through service to the Queen’s Hotel in the town, charging fares which would be agreed mutually by the three corporations. l) If requested, Accrington would maintain the overhead and equipment in Haslingden, on the payment of the actual cost of materials and wages, plus 10% to cover the use of plant, wages and ‘other’ charges. Haslingden to allow use of their Tower Wagon, whilst providing all special spares and storage. This agreement would be entered into subject to Board of Trade approval, embodying all these terms and any consequential details, with all differences to be referred to an appointee of the Board of Trade’s choosing, if no mutual agreement could be reached. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met to hear the Chairman refer to the proposed increase in office accommodation in the Market Hall for dealing with parcels traffic. It was agreed to request the Town Hall & Markets Committee to arrange for the stall next to the offices to be placed at the disposal of this Committee at a rent to be negotiated. It was then resolved that the Tramway Manager along with the Chairman would look into the question of alleged ‘careless driving’ by some motormen resulting in “excessive consumption of current and extraordinary wear on tramcars and equipment”! They were to adopt such measures and practices as they thought appropriate to effect an improvement on this situation. It was further resolved that an additional circuit breaker of 1,000 amps capacity, would be purchased and installed on the Baxenden feeder section, in view of the increased load now being experienced. The Committee then received a deputation from Clayton-le-Moors District Council on the subject of a reduction in the 2 pence fare between Clayton and Accrington. With the further request that the Committee might consider the desirability of introducing return tickets also at a reduced price. The Chairman replied that the Tramway undertaking was not in a financial position to allow a reduction, but promised however, that the Committee would look into the possibility of a return fare at a reduced price as suggested. TRAMWAYS INCOME A summary of passenger receipts and mileage for the period April 1 st , to October 6 th , 1909. Section Passenger Mileag Ave. receipts per car Total receipts

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