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

Grand TOTAL £1,612 £3,379 DEPRECIATION & RENEWALS FUND INCOME - The amount credited at March 31 st , 1928 = £51,845. Interest on investments = £2,252. Contributions from revenue = £3,220. TOTAL = £57,317. DEPRECIATION & RENEWALS FUND EXPENDITURE - Cost of year’s renewals = £761. Balance at credit @ March 31 st , 1929 = £56,556. TOTAL = £57,317. It was resolved to accept these statements of account. July At a meeting of the Watch Committee on the 15 th , the Town Clerk reported he had received a further communication from Haslingden Corporation on the question of withdrawing the tramway services on the route between Accrington and Rawtenstall, and the substitution of omnibuses in their place. It was resolved that subject to gaining the consent of Rawtenstall Corporation and a satisfactory agreement being reached with Lancashire County Council as to the reinstatement of the road surface when the tracks were lifted, it would be recommended to the Full Council that action be taken to carry out these works as might be required for an abandonment of the tramway, the work to be completed by April 1 st , 1930, proving that arrangements could be made for an adequate bus service to be substituted in good time. The Tramway Manager was authorised to submit his recommendations at the earliest opportunity, with regard to the number and type of new omnibuses which would be required to operate this tram replacement service. August A ‘Special Conference’ was held between representatives from Accrington Corporation, Haslingden Corporation and Rawtenstall Corporation, to discuss the situation which existed on the tramway and omnibus services operating between the three townships. Representing Accrington was the Mayor (who was in the chair), Aldermen Ellis and Higham, and Councillors O’Connor, Tasker, Wade and Woolley. The Town Clerk reminded the meeting that at a similar conference held in May, when this matter was raised, it was agreed by the representatives of Accrington and Rawtenstall that before a definite conclusion could be reached it was desirable that more information should be laid before them. Such information now having been obtained, he intimated that the resolution adopted by Accrington Corporation’s Tramway Committee be submitted to the Full Council for confirmation on the 12 th , the effect of which would be the abandonment of the tramway services on the Accrington Section. Following a full discussion the Rawtenstall representatives agreed to recommend the adoption of a similar resolution by Rawtenstall Council, so far as the section under their control was concerned. Following this the Haslingden representatives expressed their agreement. It was then resolved that each Council concerned would be asked to appoint two representatives with their appropriate officials to consult with the County Authority on the subject of the reinstatement of the road surface within their respective Borough boundaries. It was further resolved that the Chairman and Vice-Chairs of each of the Corporation’s Tramway Committees with their respective officials, should come together with a view to adopting a design for the replacement omnibuses with ‘uniform’ seating arrangements. With regard to the existing services it was agreed that each authority should consider - 1) A suggested reduction in the frequency of the services on the Accrington Rawtenstall route from 6 to 4 cars per hour at 15 - minute intervals in the afternoons. 2) The possibility of increasing the frequency of the omnibus service between The Tramways Sub-Committee met when a letter was received from Oswaldtwistle UDC intimating they were proposing to resurface Union Road, and before commencing with this work wished to ascertain if Accrington Corporation had considered substituting an omnibus service for the current tramway service. If this was the case would Accrington Corporation like to make any proposals as to the removal of the tram lines? It was resolved that representatives from this Committee would meet with Oswaldtwistle UDC and report on their discussions. September The Tramways Sub-Committee was convened to meet with representatives of Oswaldtwistle UDC on the subject of re-surfacing Union Road, in connection with the Corporation’s intention of removing the tram tracks and replacing the tram service with one operated by omnibuses. It was ultimately decided, following a friendly discussion, that each party should report back to their respective authorities with a view to arriving at some basis for consideration at some future meeting. At a meeting of Accrington and Bacup from hourly to every 30 minutes. 3) The introduction of return fares on the omnibuses.

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