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

STATISTICS

ITEM

1914/1 5

1915/1 6

Number of BTUs

consumed in

831,932 815,506

operation

Number of passengers carried

4,637,30 3 1 · 42d 12 · 05d

4,841,33 4 1 · 434d 12 · 86d

Average fare per passenger Traffic revenue per car mile Working expenses per car mile Total mileage run in Accrington

7 · 2d

8 · 67d

548,071 539,858 The General Purposes Committee met and resolved to authorise the following increase in salary, for Mr S. E. Ogden, the Chief Clerk in the Tramway Offices, from £2 – 6s – 0d to £2 – 10s – 0d from the 1 st of May next. The Electrical & Tramways Committee met, when it was resolved to inspect the Tramway Offices with respect to the proposed new extensions. The Borough Treasurer then submitted abstract accounts for 1915-1916. He reported - (1) The Renewals Fund equalled £17,922 which was invested at 4½% interest. (2) That the traffic receipts for the first 49 days of 1916 compared to the two previous years was between April 1 st and May 19 th as follows; 1914 (pre-war) - £4,248, 1916 - £4,116. It was resolved the sum of £1,000 be repaid to the rate funds during 1916-1917. This would leave the balance owing at £3,558. June The Electrical & Tramways Committee met and requested the Borough Surveyor to proceed with the fitting out of the extensions to the Tramway Offices on the gallery in the Market Hall, as soon as the adjacent premises were vacated, with the exception of lavatory accommodation which was deferred for the present time. July At a meeting of the Electrical & Tramways Committee they received a letter from the Borough Treasurer of Haslingden Corporation, stating they had given permission for ‘private’ owners to garage their heavy motor vehicles in the John Street depot. They had also commenced a systematic collection of waste paper, which was also being stored there. The Tramway Manager reported that, having been to inspect the situation, he no longer felt it was desirable to continue with the out-stationing of Accrington’s rolling stock there. He therefore proposed in future to keep all Accrington’s cars at the Ellison Street depot. It was resolved to accept and approve his decision. At a meeting of the General Purposes Committee, the Town Clerk submitted the provision of Section 20 of the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act 1916 – Omnibus Routes, which prohibited the opening up of new routes for omnibuses. This was accompanied by a circular from Lancashire County Council, with a view to securing concerted action for dealing with matters arising from the Act, the authorities concerned to be consulted in each instance. It was resolved that the County Council, through their Main Roads & Bridges Committee, should act as agents for Accrington Council in this matter. August The Electrical & Tramways Committee met, when the Tramway Manager was instructed to have a clock installed on one of the gallery windows on the side of the Market Hall overlooking Peel Street, “to facilitate the punctual starting of the tramcars”. It was then resolved the Borough Treasurer should call upon the services of a ‘specialist’ to consult with the doctor who was treating one of the motormen who was injured in the accident in Clayton during March. October The General Purposes Committee met when it was resolved to instruct the Electrical & Tramways Committee they should stop running all cars from Peel Street after 22:30 in the evenings. At a meeting of the Electrical & Tramways Committee held on this same day, a letter was received from the Rawtenstall Corporation re-affirming their willingness to continue with the through running arrangements for a further twelve months. It was resolved to agree to their offer. A letter ( dated September 29 th ), from Blackburn Corporation was read out. It concerned the rate per car mile paid to them for the use of their cars whilst on Accrington’s lines. It suggested a ‘reasonable’ increase thereof, and that a meeting of representatives from both concerns should be arranged to discuss this matter. It was resolved the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Tramway Manager prepare a report on the cost and the revenue and submit

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