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

are released. Up until now the Tramways Department has been administered as four separate branches -

1. Traffic and employees. 2. Overhead equipment. 3. Permanent way. 4. Maintenance and repairs.

In practice this has been satisfactory, but has not been the most economical way of running the undertaking. Greater economy and efficiency can be attained by grouping one or more of these departments. Your Sub-Committee has concluded, that the collection and consumption of current, car repairs and breakdowns are closely connected to the control of the motormen, hence it is logical to place these departments under the auspices of just one manager. With this is included a change of inspectorial control and ticket checking, which we judge to be efficient, although it is needlessly expensive. This is the first matter to engage your Sub-Committee’s attention. Mr James Wilson, the present Tramway Manager, is ‘getting well on in years’ and therefore cannot be expected to give the active service of a younger man for very much longer. We recognise the outstanding service he has given, especially during the transferring of the steam tramway to the Corporation. He himself has expressed a willingness to retire on reasonable terms. We recommend he be granted the sum of £200 which is equal to one year’s salary in lieu of notice, plus the sum of £50 per year for each of the four subsequent years, for his consultative advice during this period. In looking for a successor, we feel we need look no further than the current staff, and after deliberations recommend the appointment of Mr Harry Pilling at a salary of £200 per annum. In suggesting Mr Pilling, this Sub-Committee recognises that the running of a tramway department requires a thorough knowledge of both mechanical and electrical work in connection with the tramcars and the depot. In these categories Mr Pilling has had control since the beginning. He has given every satisfaction and has also gained the Certificate of an Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. In addition he has a good understanding of traffic management, is familiar with the routes and the requirements of each district. This will enable him to maintain a complete grasp over all the departments within our undertaking. This Sub-Committee has carefully considered suggestions made by Mr Pilling for the rearrangement and reduction of staff, which can be given if requested. But it is not in the best interests of this Council, the Tramway Department and its staff to publish them. Suffice to say, that when gradually implemented, there is every reason to believe they will result in savings of between £10 and £15 per week. Part of this saving would be given effect by reductions in the inspectorial and traffic staff, along with depot staff, and then in an adjustment in the workload of those engaged in the maintenance of the permanent way and overhead equipment. These changes must be carried out under the new manager, and if approved his recommendations would be implemented without due delay if so sanctioned. It was resolved that this report should be recommended for adoption. The General Purposes Committee met where, following discussions, it was resolved to accept the findings of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee with regard to a reorganisation of the staffing of the Tramways Department. On the same day at a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee the Chairman reported at length on a meeting he had attended accompanied by the Chairman of the Assessment Committee, with the Umpire Mr Wainwright, who had furnished them beforehand with the full details of his valuation. Then Mr Pilling (who it must be assumed had already taken up the post of Tramway Manager ), submitted his proposals for alterations to the Tramway services during the winter months as follows - BAXENDEN SECTION No changes on this section due to the inter-running with Rawtenstall’s cars, except for the substitution of a double-deck car for a single-deck car now working the 05:45am ‘special’ workmen’s service due to overcrowding. OSWALDTWISTLE SECTION Days Present New Service Explanation

189