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

By the end of the third month of operation the takings had risen to £516 – 2s – 5d, with 12,412 penny fares, 49,550 two pence fares and 4,119 three pence fares, from 66,081 passenger journeys. August 17 th . Mr Cramp along with the Directors of the Tramway Company appeared before the Town Hall & Markets Committee with regard to their application for a site on the Market Hall grounds in order to put up a small wooden waiting room. It was resolved to allow this second request for a period of three years only, at a rent and subject to the conditions both formulated by the Committee, after the plans and design of this building had been submitted and approved, as long as it was built on the chosen site which had been selected by the Borough Surveyor. August 31 st . The Finance Committee received a letter ( dated August 12 th ), from the Solicitors acting on behalf of the Clergy Mutual Assurance Society, offering to allow the sum of £7,000 to be offset as part of the Tramway loan, to be placed on security of the General District Rate, and to be payable by equal annual instalments of principle loan and interest combined in 28 years. This offer was accepted by the Finance Committee who instructed the Town Clerk to make provision for these arrangements. September 27 th . It was resolved by the Finance Committee that Messrs Eastham’s bill of charges incurred during the litigation arising out of the drawing up of the Tramway Company’s contract and ‘other’ related matters should be taxed before payment was made. October 12 th . This meeting of the Town Hall & Markets Committee recommended the plans for a waiting room with a coke store submitted by the Tramway Company be approved, subject to an inspection of a deputation consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Cllrs Waddington and Whittaker of the proposed site in front of the Market Hall along with a copy of the plans. November 30 th . The Chief Constable of Police reported to the Watch Committee that complaints had been received that tram drivers were not observing the Board of Trade approved stopping places. The Town Clerk was authorised to write to the Manager of the Tramway Company, bringing his attention to this situation and warning that in the case of continuing complaints proceeding would be taken against them. December 11 th . Major-General Hutchinson reported he had inspected the tramway and was satisfied with the condition, but recommended some slight alterations. The Borough Surveyor was authorised to oversee the carrying out of these modifications. ( Major-General Charles S. Hutchinson RE CB was born in Hythe on August the 8 th , 1826. He served the Board of Trade as an inspector of railways between1867 and 1892 and was Chief Inspector until retiring in 1895. ) December 12 th . At a meeting of a Special Committee it was resolved that a ‘retaining wall’ be constructed to separate Ellison’s Tenement from Hyndburn Road. ( Note At about this time applications were also made for Ellison’s Tenement to erect sufficient stabling for all the Corporation’s horses in one place, and also for use as a venue for travelling fairs and circuses. Part would also be taken up as an abattoir sufficient in size to accommodate eight butcheries.) December 20 th . The General Works Committee received a letter ( dated December 15 th ) from the Tramway Company requesting permission to take up ( remove ) three passing loops. They were on Milnshaw Brow ( Whalley Road ), on Peel Street ( opposite the Caxton Printing Company’s premises ), and on Manchester Road opposite Christ Church Street. It was resolved that these requests be granted, but on terms which the Town Clerk thought necessary for the protection of the Corporation’s interests. These changes all to be completed to the full satisfaction of the Borough Surveyor as follows - 1. The Corporation entitled to possession of all the redundant lines, points and sleepers. 2. All the work would have to be carried out with the least possible disruption to the operation of tram services and all other traffic on the roads concerned. 3. All works to be completed within six months of permission being granted. 4. Having been completed these modifications would in no way prejudice the terms of the operating lease with regard to the repair of the roadways at these three locations. 5. That the Tramway Company put back all these crossings within six months of the termination of their lease if requested to do so by the Corporation. December 28 th . It was resolved by a majority of the Town Hall & Markets Committee that the amended plans for a tramway waiting room on the Market Hall grounds be passed, subject to a ‘sharp’ corner on the Peel Street side of the structure being cut off. It was also resolved that to allow the Tramway Company to make their own arrangements with the Market’s lessees.

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