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

Eagle St. and Church Lane

2½ d 2½ d

2½ d 2½ d

2½ d 2½ d

2½ d 2½ d

2½d

2½ d 2½ d 3d

Owen St. and Clayton terminus

2½d

Eagle St. – Clayton terminus

3d 3d 3d 3d

3d (4d)

OSWALDTWISTLE SECTION

To Feb 4 th from Feb 5 th from Aug 20 th

Fare stages single & (returns) between O W

O

W 1 ½ d 1d 1d 1d 1d 1 ½ d 2d 2 ½ d 2 ½ d

O

W

Market Place and Church

1 ½ d 1d 1d 1d 1 ½ d 2d 2 ½ d 2 ½ d 3d

1 ½ d 1d 1d 1d 1d 1 ½ d 2d 2 ½ d 2 ½ d

1 ½ d

1 ½ d (2 ½ d) 1 ½ d

Market Place and Grammar School Grammar School and Church Church and Oswaldtwistle Town Hall

1d 1d 1d 1d

1d 1d 1d 1d

1d 1d 1d 1d

Oswaldtwistle Town Hall and Oswaldtwistle terminus 1d

Church and Oswaldtwistle terminus

1 ½ d

1 ½ d (2 ½ d) 1 ½ d

Grammar School and Oswaldtwistle Town Hall Market Place and Oswaldtwistle Town Hall

2d

2 ½ d 2 ½ d

2d

2 ½ d

2 ½ d

Grammar School and Oswaldtwistle terminus

2 ½ d

2 ½ d

2 ½ d

Market Place and Oswaldtwistle terminus

3d 3d (5)d 3d

3d (4d)

3d

1925 (This was a year in which there was much tinkering around with timetables and fares in order to meet ever changing demands and to reduce losses, whilst at the same time trying to increase takings on those routes which showed potential. The shadow of competition from the omnibus loomed even larger so membership of a national organistation would prove useful in this situation.) January The Tramways Sub-Committee met and the Tramway Manager submitted the traffic returns for the Christmas period, which showed an increase in revenue of £104 compared with the festive period in 1923. The Tramway Manager was then authorised to obtain tenders for the supply of uniforms and headwear for all motormen, conductors, inspectors and workers in the parcels department of the Tramway, and to submit them to this Sub-Committee for approval. The Sub-Committee then considered the question of issuing cheap returns on each of the three local sections, Baxenden, Clayton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle. It was resolved that for a trial period commencing on February 5 th , these would be issued at a cost of 5 pence each. After a discussion as to the advisability of the Corporation securing powers to operate Motor Omnibuses, it was resolved to again ask the Full Council to consider obtaining powers to this end. Councillor Constantine was concerned about the charges for carrying parcels on the tramway. He felt that the current rates had been set when the amount of traffic was at its peak. But now other carriers including the railways and the Post Office were taking business away, he thought that any reduction in the tariffs would be offset by an increase in volume, “So long as it did not create a deficit in the department. It was a fact that a parcel could be conveyed cheaper by motor van than by tramcar, and a parcel could be dispatched to Whalley, Clitheroe or Great Harwood for the same price as was charged to Clayton-le Moors. I know of several businesses that have taken their business away from the trams and gone to other sources”. Alderman Higham in response said, “But they do not collect and deliver door to door, whilst the buses only drop parcels off at stops along their routes. The term ‘collect’ was something of a misnomer as between 70% and 80% of merchandise was handed in at the designated parcels offices”. Councillor Constantine also felt that the Committee had not exploited the possibility of purchasing a large motor van capable of carrying up to a ton, to make one, two or three town and district deliveries each day. It would he contended, “Pay for itself in a reduction in staff and wages”. In response Councillor Ellis said that the figures for the Parcels Department in the past three to

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