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

At a subsequent meeting this Sub-Committee had examined tenders for the supply of 50 steel bogie wheel tyres, and had recommended acceptance of a tender submitted by Messrs Brown, Bayley’s Ltd, at a cost of £2 – 15s – 6d per tyre. The Sub-Committee recommended that a request for a supply of caps for the motormen should be complied with. The Tramway Manager was requested to order the requisite number after obtaining samples and prices, and following consultation with Alderman Rawson thereon. The Tramway Manager then reported that following the alterations to the Baxenden service, several complaints had been received. Since then he had issued instructions that the 12:00 and the 12:15 departures from Peel Street should be put back by 5 minutes on both Mondays and Wednesdays. The Sub Committee then decided to allay any concerns about the permanent way, by making a full inspection starting with the Baxenden Section. February At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee they discussed the advisability of advertising the tramway timetable in a more effective manner. The Tramway Manager was authorised to look further into this matter and report back. March The Electricity & Tramways Sub-Committee met for the purpose of examining the Baxenden Section of the tramway, extending from the Borough boundary to Baxenden Conservative Club, and found it to be in good working condition. One of the ‘mates’ to the tramway points outside the Vicarage showed signs of wear, but this was deemed to be inevitable and would be dealt with when normal repairs were carried out. Some portions of rail showed signs of ‘corrugation’ and it was suggested that a modern machine should be obtained for dealing with this specific problem all across the system. The Borough Engineer produced drawings showing the wear and tear on the various sections of the permanent way from year to year, whilst at the same time pointing out that during the last year this has been minimal. April At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee the Tramway Manager reported that on the 24 th of March the Tramways Sub-Committee had examined the Clayton-le-Moors section of the tramway. They reported that with the exception of some ‘corrugation’ in a few places the permanent way was in good condition, which would compare favourably with that of other towns. Their report was accepted and approved. The Town Clerk reported he had received a response from the Ministry of Transport to the Council’s recent application for a renewal for an increase in fares under the Temporary Increase of Charges Act 1920, as continued in force by the Expiring Laws Continuation Act of 1923, which allowed for a ‘modification’ of the statutory maximum charges on the tramway. It pointed out that this Order would have ceased to effect from December 31 st , last, which was specified in Section 1 of the 1923 Act, which was the date to which the Acts of 1918 and 1920 should be continued. May The Electricity & Tramways Committee were referred to a minute passed in March, which recommended the purchase of an up-to-date machine for dealing with the problem of corrugation on the tracks. The Tramway Manager had looked into this question along with the Borough Surveyor, and they now recommended the purchase of a standard “Celerity N o 5 Automatic Rail Planer” from the Equipment & Engineering Company in London. It was resolved they should obtain this machine at the ‘best possible terms’. The Borough Treasurer then submitted the following accounts from the Tramway Undertaking. REVENUE ACCOUNT INCOME ITEM 1922/23 1923/24 Car receipts £55,085 £52,689 Parcels receipts £1,541 £1,506 Postmaster General £263 £263 Advertising on cars £511 £239 Advertising on standards £264 £203 Rents on Church property £87 £97 Miscellaneous £1 £1 TOTAL £57,752 £54,998 EXPENDITURE ITEM 1922/2 3 1923/2 4 Traffic expense £21,57 8 £20,90 2

287