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

The Agreement Between & BLACKBURN CORPORATION, made on August 23 rd , 1907 between the Mayors, Aldermen and Burgesses, in order to provide a through Tramway Service between the two towns. WHEREAS certain tramway lines belonging to the Corporation of Accrington extend from the Town Hall along Blackburn Road in a westerly direction to the Borough Boundary, and thence continue through a portion of the Urban District Council of Church, to a point situated at the junction of Market Street and Blackburn Road, at which point the Tramway of Accrington joins the Tramway lines of Blackburn Corporation. WHEREAS the object of establishing a through service between Accrington Town Hall and Blackburn Railway Station, it has been arranged so that the tramcars of the Corporation of Blackburn shall run over the Accrington tramlines to a point near or opposite to Accrington Town Hall, on the terms and conditions hereinafter contained. NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH and is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows 1. The Corporation of Accrington shall permit and afford all facilities for the electric tramcars and other rolling stock of Blackburn Corporation to operate over the tramways to the Town Hall, aforesaid from and to Blackburn’s tramways, so as to enable the Corporation of Blackburn to establish and maintain a through service of tramcars running between Blackburn Railway Station and Accrington Town Hall. 2. The Corporation of Accrington shall be, and remain sole owner of and have exclusive control and dominion over Accrington’s tramways, and shall at all times at its own cost, (subject to the provisions of Clause 3), duly maintain and uphold in good and proper order such tramways, together with all sufficient generating stations, cars, sheds, engines, dynamos, generating apparatus, buildings, works and appliances necessary for working the same throughout the year. And will keep the same fully equipped and supplied with sufficient electrical power, not only for the working of Accrington’s own cars, but also the cars of Blackburn Corporation, whilst using the tramway under the provisions of this agreement. The electricity to be provided at 500 volts. Accrington Corporation will be liable for any damage sustained by the Corporation of Blackburn’s cars, any passengers or customer by reason of any defect in the permanent way, electrical equipment or negligence of any person employed by Accrington Corporation, and shall indemnify the Corporation of Blackburn against all claims in respect of such damage. 3. The Corporation of Blackburn at its own expense provide, equip, manage and maintain in good and proper working order, a sufficient number of electric trams and other rolling stock, with all the necessary appliances to carry out a thorough service herein provided for. All cars shall be efficiently manned with drivers and conductors to be paid by Blackburn Corporation. Blackburn Corporation shall also provide the necessary staff of engineers, mechanics and cleaners and other workmen for keeping the said rolling stock of the Corporation of Blackburn together with their electrical equipment in proper working order. The Corporation of Blackburn shall be liable for all damage sustained by any passenger, customer or other persons, or by the Corporation of Accrington due to the defects of any car of Blackburn Corporation, or the negligence of any person employed by that Corporation, and shall indemnify Accrington against all claims in respect of such damage. 4. The Corporation of Accrington shall, as to the tramways and works connected therewith observe the conditions and provisions contained in the Local Acts of such Corporation, with reference to and thereto keep indemnified the Corporation of Blackburn from all liability, by reason of the failure of the Corporation of Accrington to observe the same. ACCRINGTON CORPORATION

25