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

agreement accordingly in order for the work to begin. The General Works Committee also met, and the Town Clerk referred to minutes of the Tramway Committee and the Town Hall & Markets Committee, suggesting they may wish to pass a ‘formal’ resolution agreeing to give up that area of land on Ellison’s Tenement that would be required for the purpose of extending the car sheds at the Ellison Street depot. The Tramways Committee met and in accordance with instructions given to him at the January 7 th meeting, the Borough Surveyor submitted his plans for the proposed extensions to the Ellison Street car sheds. This would involve the appropriation of some 708 square yards of land forming part of Ellison’s Tenement. It was resolved to recommend these plans to the Council, subject to the General Works Committee being prepared to give up the tract of land required. February At a meeting of the Town Hall & Markets Committee, the Chairman reported he had met with Mr Mitchell with regard to his renting space on Ellison’s Tenement for the Spring and Autumn Fairs, part of which was soon to be appropriated for the purpose of extending the depot to accommodate omnibuses. Mr Mitchell had offered the sum of £215 for the occupation of the Tenement for the next two fairs. It was resolved to accept this offer and it would apply until the termination of the existing agreement during 1930. On the 14 th , the Tramways Committee referring to the application by Accrington Corporation to the Ministry of Transport, for a general revision of the existing maximum speeds, was inspecting the Accrington system. March At a meeting of the Tramways Committee, they received a communication from the Ministry of Transport enclosing a copy of the report compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel E. P. Anderson on his recent inspection of the tramway. It intimated that the Minister would amend the existing Bye-Laws and Regulations to give effect to the speeds and compulsory stops recommended in his report, a copy of which would be forwarded to the Corporation in due course. The Town Clerk reported he had been approached by Haslingden Corporation who wished to meet with Accrington Corporation on the whole subject of tram and omnibus services between the two towns. It was agreed a deputation would meet with Haslingden Corporation for the purposes outlined and then report back. April The Tramways Sub-Committee met and the Tramway Manager reported that the agreement with the Executive of the Workpeople’s Hospital Fund for use of the ambulance would expire on March 31 st , and he submitted an application for a further year’s renewal, subject to a reduction in the scale of charges. It was resolved that this would be acceptable and the charges would be reduced from 1 shilling and 3 pence per mile run to 1 shilling per mile., in the same way that this had been done for the St. John Ambulance Association. Referring to a minute passed at a March meeting suggesting a meeting between members of this Sub-Committee and representatives of Haslingden to discuss bus and tram services. The Town Clerk now submitted a letter from the Haslingden contingent, suggesting in the very first instant, a meeting between themselves, Accrington and Rawtenstall to examine the possibility of substituting omnibuses for trams on the route between Accrington and Rawtenstall. It was resolved that this meeting would take place in early May in Accrington Town Hall. At a meeting of the Tramways Committee, the Town Clerk submitted a communication from the Ministry of Transport upon the recent inspection of the tramway by Lieutenant Colonel E. P. Anderson. It intimated that it was proposed to make new bye-laws and regulations as to the speeds, and compulsory stops (with some amendments), recommended in the Inspector’s report. May The Tramways Sub-Committee met, having been convened at the request of Haslingden Corporation, for their representatives to submit their views on the subject of the service of motor omnibuses between Accrington and Rawtenstall via Haslingden. They expressed the opinion that since its inauguration of the bus service there had been a “serious falling off of revenue from the tramway”, along with an estimate of the net losses which would be incurred with the continuation of both services. As a result Haslingden had come to the conclusion that they should seriously consider abandoning the tramway service at an early date. Meanwhile they had considered it advisable to consult with Accrington and Rawtenstall before taking any definite steps. After fully explaining their position the representatives from Haslingden retired from the meeting, and the members of the Sub-Committee were left alone to discuss this matter further with the representatives of Rawtenstall Corporation, who then announced that it was also their intention to close their tramways at some point in the near future. It was ultimately resolved the Town Clerk should indicate to Haslingden Corporation that whilst the meeting was not disposed to

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