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

their approval of the Council borrowing a sum of £2,750 for the purpose of obtaining additional tramcars. Also in pursuance of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation, a separate application should be made to the Board of Trade under this same Act, for permission to borrow the sum of £9,500 for the purpose of extending the tramway sheds at the Ellison Street depot. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee authorised the Tramway Manager to purchase a ‘light’ drilling machine for use in the tramway depot. The Tramway Manager then produced a number of tenders for the supply of five new tramcars. It was resolved that the one from Brush Electrical Engineering of Loughborough at £2,823 for the three saloon cars and £2,092 for the two double deck cars, complete with Westinghouse magnetic brakes and electrical equipment from Messrs Dick Kerr & Co. Ltd of Preston, would be accepted. It was also resolved that at an additional cost of £32 each, the double deck cars would be fitted with circular closed-in ends. It was then resolved, with regards to the extensions to the tramway depot, that the excavating, concreting and brick-laying would be contracted out and that tenders would be invited for this work. At a meeting of the Town Hall & Markets Committee a deputation from the Accrington Tradesmen’s Association were invited to discuss the vexed subject of providing a shelter for the tramway on the Market Grounds. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met and resolved the sum of £2,013 should be taken out of the Tramways Revenue Account for the year 1914-15 in aid of the Borough’s rates. This was equal to 2½ pence in the pound. A motion to introduce a one-penny fare on part of the Burnley Road Section was put to this meeting and then defeated. It was then resolved to accept a premium of £15 per annum from the Scottish Insurance Corporation Ltd, to insure the tower wagon against - a) Damage to the vehicle up to £150. b) Up to £1,000 claimed by any member of the public for any one accident with no limit on the numbers. c) For any fires or self-ignited explosions to a maximum of £500 . March The Town Council met and reflecting on the minutes of the Legal, Electrical & Parliamentary Committee, it was moved and seconded that the motion referring to the introduction of a 1-penny return fare on the Burnley Road Section should be referred back! But this amendment was lost. A motion proposed by Councillor Smith, moved by Cllr Nuttall and seconded by Cllr Morley read as follows - “That the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee should be instructed to consider the advisability of revising the fares on the Tramway, with a view to introducing return fares and intermediate stages, and report back to the Council as soon as this had been completed.” A second motion was then proposed by Cllr Nuttall and seconded by Cllr Morley read as follows - “That a suitable shelter should be built upon the Market Grounds, and the Town Hall & Markets Committee should be directed to provide a convenient site for its erection. Thus overturning the minute confirmed at the last meeting of the Full Council.” However, this second motion was declared lost. At a meeting of the Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee, having received the tenders for the Tramway depot extensions, the following, being the lowest received was accepted - i. Steel stanchion and roofing work - £932 from Messrs T. Blackburn & Sons, of Preston. ii. Excavations, concreting and brickwork - £2,289 from Messrs John Wilson & Sons, of Birmingham, (subject to confirmation of overall dimensions). iii. Joinery - £240 from Messrs George Walsh & Sons of Oswaldtwistle. iv. Plumbing – Messrs Foden Bros. The Town Clerk reported he had received permission from the Board of Trade for the Council to borrow £2,750 to obtain the new tramcars and £9,500 for the extensions to the Tramway depot. Yet again correspondence was received from Clayton-le-Moors UDC, enclosing a copy of their resolution requesting a reduction in the fares on the Accrington to Clayton route. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply stating the Corporation could not see their way to acceding to this request. However, it was resolved that the Tramway Manager should present a written report on the following subjects - a. The introduction of a 1-penny return on a short length of the Burnley Road Section. b. The question of introducing double return workmen’s tickets.

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