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

four years suggested that a reduction in charges was unlikely to help it pay its way. The department also had to stand any losses or breakages whilst in transit, but a doctor could have his medicines delivered to with a quarter of a mile of the tracks for 2d, which was excellent value. Councillor Sutcliffe, who was a businessman who used the parcels service said, “I am perfectly satisfied with the service. I am a big user and even though the charges are more expensive than before the war, this was before that conflict they had been ridiculously low”. He also accused Councillor Constantine of over-exercising his hobby horse! To which Councillor Constantine asked for a point of order, stating that Councillor Sutcliffe should be reminded of the rules of the debating chamber. He went on to point out that Blackburn now delivered parcels by motor van, whilst Councillor Wilkinson stated it cost 6d to travel by bus to Great Harwood, and only 5d by a competing operator, so something needed to be done. Councillor Slack described some of the rhetoric as misleading, “For you could wait for up to an hour to catch a bus, whilst on some buses parcels were not permitted so there was no continuity, whilst with our parcels service there was both continuity and convenience. A customer can go to a parcels office at any time during opening hours and hand in a parcel in the knowledge it will be delivered quickly. If a motor van was used it could be a matter of hours before it reached its destination”. Councillor Aspin said he had recently sent a parcel over 20lbs in weight to Bacup for 9d which he felt even the railway could not match. Cllr Constantine then called into question an advertisement currently being displayed on the trams which read ‘ IF YOU WANT TO PREVENT YOURSELF FROM BEING SPLASHED WITH MUD RIDE ON THE CARS AND SAVE YOURSELF THE DIFFERENCE’. He thought this was a stunt rather than part of a publicity campaign, as it drew the attention of the public to the poor state of the roads. “And who is responsible for these? It is the Council”. He thought the advertisement should read “If you get splashed with mud then visit the municipal baths”, which was greeted with laughter. Councillor Slack also felt this promotional advertisement and should have been couched in more appropriate language, but that Councillor Constantine should not labour the point. On a more serious note Cllr Constantine felt that something should be done about the current tram fare to Haslingden. He highlighted the fact that the return tram fare to Blackburn was 8d for a ten mile round journey, compared unfavourably with the return fare to Haslingden a distance of eight miles at 10d. “Since Accrington supplies Haslingden with the power to operate their system surely some compromise should be possible”, he said. Summing up, Alderman Higham said, “On the subject of fares to Haslingden I will bring that authority to negotiations to see what can be done. As to the charges for parcels, the cost of carrying small articles is ridiculously cheap. However, we may be in a position at some stage in the future to conduct a trial to see if reducing the prices actually results in an increase in volume. As to the advertisement it is the responsibility of the Tramways Committee to ensure that passengers are kept clean whilst riding inside the cars”. February At a meeting of the Tramways Sub-Committee the Tramway Manager reported on the necessity of purchasing an electric Arc Welding plant, whilst outlining the economics and advantages which it would provide. It was resolved that the tender for the Equipment & Engineering Company of London at £184 complete would be recommended for acceptance. Consideration was then given to the possibility of extending the times that the work-people’s return tickets on the morning cars. At the present time they were issued up to 08:00 between Tuesdays and Saturdays, and on Mondays up to 08:30. It was resolved that for an experimental period of three months the times that these tickets were issued would be to 08:30 on all days. This trial would begin on Thursday, February 19 th next. The Sub-Committee then considered the possibility of allowing all departments of the Corporation and other ‘local’ authorities the privilege of fixing brackets to the tramway standards. This was intended to introduce a measure of uniformity with respect to their design, strength and the re-painting of these brackets, especially to help minimise the possibility of corrosion. It was resolved that those wishing to attach brackets to the tramway standards must first of all consult with and make arrangements with the Tramway Manager before doing so. March The Tramways Sub-Committee met to discuss matter arising from a question broached at an earlier meeting, as to the adequacy or otherwise of the tramway services between 11:45 and 13:00. The Manager submitted a report as instructed with regard to the numbers of passengers carried by each car during the specified period. They then came to the conclusion that the number of cars in service was

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