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

Corporation’s tramways, and producing less than half of the other routes with Blackburn being the most profitable. The following were the actual figures –

The Clayton-le-Moors Section 26 pence per car mile. The Oswaldtwistle Section 24½ pence per car mile. The Baxenden Section 23 pence per car mile. The Huncoat Section 12½ pence per mile.

Overall to the year ending on January 31 st the profits were down by £5,600 on the previous year, but £2,700 had been saved by a reduction in the amount of maintenance work on the cars and the track, along with a reduction in the wage bill by not paying the employees during a strike, so there had been a net gain of £1,900. Councillor Ellis felt there should be a reduction in fares so as to reverse the downward trend in passenger numbers, whilst Councillor Constantine felt that the cost of carrying parcels could also be lowered in order to encourage more trade, even though the Parcels Department had made a loss of £42. He pointed out that if a customer had five parcels each 30 pounds in weight to send from Accrington to Haslingden it was cost him 12 shillings, and a letter from Accrington to Oswaldtwistle 4 pence as against 2 pence if posted by Royal Mail. He understood the Parcels Department had a staff of twenty, mostly boys, which might be required at busy times but not during quiet periods. Alderman Higham, in the Chair, said he was doubtful if a lowering of prices actually would attract more business. Councillor Aspin asked, with reference to the application to return to the 48 hour guaranteed working week by the Vehicle Worker’s Union, would this mean they would still be paid when there was no work for them? Alderman Higham stated that the decision was at the behest of the men, and the arrangement was that in order to discharge them on superannuation, the Tramway Manager was furloughing them and following a period of time ether calling them back or giving them discharge. So there was no question of men being paid for doing nothing. March At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, the Town Clerk referred to the minutes of the Watch Committee passed at their last meeting, which referred to an application from a firm of char-a banc proprietors to operate a service between Accrington and Clitheroe. It was resolved that this Committee would approve the granting of this licence subject to the details being settled between the Works Committee and the operator. The Tramway Manager reported he had obtained tenders and samples for the supply of uniforms for the employees in his department. It was resolved that he and Alderman Rawson could examine these and then settle upon which to accept. Mr Pilling then reported that a meeting had been convened by the Lancashire & Cheshire Tramway Authority in Manchester for Friday the 24 th of March in order to discuss the revised terms and conditions as drawn up by the National Industrial Council. It was resolved that he along with Councillors Cunliffe and Palmer should attend this meeting. A deputation from the local Branch of the United Vehicle Workers was then received to discuss certain ‘alleged’ grievances. The Committee then considered the matters put before them. It was resolved that having considered them fully, in accordance with the wishes of the deputation, the judgements they had previously made could not be modified, and the Tramway Manager could continue to act upon the instructions given to him in January. Considerations of ‘other’ matters raised by this deputation were then postponed to a future meeting. April At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee it was resolved to accept the following tenders for the supply of new uniforms for the employees of the Tramway Department from Messrs Briggs, Jones & Gibson of Manchester as follows – a. Pattern ‘D’ motormen’s & conductors' tunics @ £1 – 8s – 10d each.

b. Pattern ‘C’ parcel youths’ tunics @ £1 – 4s – 11d each. c. Pattern ‘C’ Inspectors’ tunics @ £2 -4s – 9d each. d. Pattern ‘D’ motormen’s & conductors’ trousers @ 15/9d per pair. e. Pattern ‘C’ parcel youths’ trousers @ 13/4d per pair. f. Pattern ‘C’ Inspectors’ trousers @ £1 – 0s – 0d per pair. g. Pattern ‘C’ motormen’s & conductors’ overcoats @ £1 – 17s – 9d each. h. Pattern ‘C’ parcel youths’ overcoats @ £1 – 14s – 9d each. i. Pattern ‘B’ Inspectors’ overcoats @ £2 – 7s – 3d each.

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