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

1921/2 2 £39,431 – 3s – 11d In comparison with this sum of £39,431 – 3s – 11d the ‘actual’ sum set aside is £30,887 – 17s – 4d. The deficit on this basis being = £8,543 – 6s – 7d. Calculating this year’s contribution 2½ pence per car mile run, (which equals the present cost of renewals to the permanent way), the amount would be = £5,137 – 19s – 2d, a difference of £3,082 – 15s - 6d. The corresponding figure for last year was £3,731 – 10s – 5d, and for the year before £3,707 – 7s – 0d. This would take the total deficit on this fund to £19,064 - 19s – 6d. The total length of single track is approximately 10½ miles. The present cost of renewals is £11,000 per mile of track. Therefore there is only sufficient cash to renew 2½ miles of line after fifteen years out of sixteen years life. The total sum taken from the rates since the tramway system was first established and not yet repaid at the end of the year, amounted to £4,558. It was resolved to accept this report. At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, the Tramway Manager was instructed to consider the question of providing a more frequent service on the Haslingden Section on Saturday nights. He was then authorised to have the engine of the Motor Ambulance overhauled at an opportune time. A letter was received from the Accrington Tradesmen’s Association asking the Committee to consider reducing the rates the Tramway charged for the conveyance of goods and parcels. The Town Clerk was authorised to reply that this Committee could not see their way to making any changes to the charges that were currently in operation. Alderman Higham, the Chairman, said the Tramway Department ought to be congratulated in turning around its finances. This had been possible due to a reduction in the wage bill, a reduction in the number of staff and a lessening of the spending on maintaining the cars and permanent way. He said that owing to the war the track had been allowed to deteriorate but during 1921 £17,000 had been invested on it, whilst in 1922 this figure would be £10,000. Reductions in service levels with the co-operation of Haslingden Corporation Tramways had also helped to cut expenses. Instead of the loss experienced in 1920/21 of £2,008 they now had a surplus of £5,300. Even with a deduction towards the debt, they still were left with a profit of £2,234. They now had £30,000, which at some point in the near future would need to be spent on the track, but it was estimated that they would cost a great deal more than this. He hoped that when the current dispute was resolved they would be able to increase the service levels to the satisfaction of the public, as long as there was no further industrial unrest. Councillor Constantine questioned Alderman Higham’s analysis, by stating, “It looks alright on paper, but had not been translated into reality. It was fine to say they had only spent £10,000 on track maintenance, but what good is that if £20,000 was required in the next financial year and a similar amount in subsequent years? It is my own opinion that the tracks are in a deplorable state and should immediately have £70,000 invested on them”. He also felt that the tramway was at a point where it would benefit from having its own committee. Reference was also made to the resolution of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, following their instructions to the Tramway Manager not to follow the custom of allowing conductors to be credited with any excess takings when paying-in their cash to the Tramway Cashier. Councillor Aspin asked, “And what if there is a deficit, and would one be balanced against any excess”? Alderman Higham said in answer, “Whilst conductors are not allowed to take advantage of any surplus money, but any ‘trifling’ shortages would not be unduly pressed!” June The Committee met again when the Tramway Manager was authorised to deal with some applications for permission to fix illuminated signs on some tramway standards, under the condition that they did not protrude over the roadway. July The Electricity & Tramways Committee met to receive a communication from Rawtenstall Corporation, suggesting a meeting to discuss the subject of through running, with a view to improving the service. With the approval of the General Purposes Committee it was resolved the Chairman, Vice-Chair, the Tramway Manager and the Town Clerk would attend this meeting. August At another meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, the Tramway Manager requested the Committee’s guidance with regard to the removal of a number of lamp standards on Blackburn Road and Abbey Street, formerly used for lighting but were now redundant due to the lighting being effected 493,244 £2,055 – 3s – 8d £1,088 – 12s – 5d

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