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

the Town Council the Town Clerk read out a communication from the County Surveyor indicating the terms for the reinstatement of the road surface following the removal of the tram tracks. Following a meeting at County Hall he was prepared to submit for consideration of the Main Roads & Bridges Committee at their next meeting in October next on certain terms. It was resolved to agree to all these terms on the understanding that the track and rails will be removed entirely under the direction of, and at the cost of the County Council, finally that the Corporation Tramways to be charged at no more than the rate quoted for each ‘super’ yard. At a meeting of the Town Council the Town Clerk read out a communication from the County Surveyor indicating the terms for the reinstatement of the road surface following the removal of the tram tracks. Following a meeting at County Hall he was prepared to submit for consideration of the Main Roads & Bridges Committee at their next meeting in October next the following terms - 1. Payment to the County Council by Accrington Corporation of 5 shillings per yard of ‘super’ tramway track. 2. The granite setts in the tracks to pass to the County Council. 3. The County Council to be free to do this work ‘as and when’ they chose. 4. The track once removed would be laid at the side of the road for the respective corporations to come and collect. 5. The County Council to take over the maintenance of the paving within the tramway tracks, from the date of its abandonment of which at least fourteen days’ notice had been given. October The Town Council, in Committee at the beginning, met and the Town Clerk submitted a communication from the County Surveyor stating he had passed on the terms ‘provisionally’ agreed upon to his Main Roads & Bridges Committee, for the reinstatement of the road surface when the tram tracks were lifted and the substitute omnibus service begun. The Tramways Sub-Committee met and averting to a minute passed during September, when its members met representatives from Oswaldtwistle UDC to discuss the resurfacing of Union Road, it was resolved that each should report to their respective authorities. Now members of Oswaldtwistle UDC met again with this Sub-Committee to report on the steps taken by them to facilitate the possibility of them arriving at a mutually acceptable agreement. It was then resolved that it should be recommended to the Council that the section of tramway from a point on Blackburn Road in Church opposite to the Commercial Hotel, to the terminus in front of the Black Dog at the foot of New Lane should be abandoned, within or after the next financial year, subject to satisfactory terms being settled with the Lancashire County Authority as to the reinstatement of the roadway. It was further agreed by the Sub-Committee that in the event of Oswaldtwistle UDC requiring continued use of any of the existing tramway standards, poles or other equipment for lighting or other purposes, these would be transferred to their ownership subject to the payment of a reasonable sum to be mutually agreed upon. It was finally resolved that the Chairman, Vice-Chair and Alderman Rawson should examine tenders for the supply of new uniforms for the transport departments staff, with the authority to select the one they thought best value. November The ‘Special’ Sub-Committee met, when the tender of submitted by Joseph Hunter & Sons of Liverpool, was accepted for the supply of the following uniform clothing – a. 8 Inspectors’ tunics in Grade 8575 cloth, and trousers also in Grade 8575 cloth. b. 116 Motormen’s and Conductors’ tunics in Grade 1918 cloth trousers also in Grade 1918 cloth. c. 10 Motormen’s overcoats in Grade 8605 cloth. d. 15 Parcel Youths’ tunics in Grade 8604 cloth and also trousers in Grade 8604 cloth. e. 8 Inspectors’ caps along with 131 caps for ‘other’ staff. They also recommended acceptance of the tender from Messrs Charles Mackintosh & Co. Ltd of Manchester, for the supply of 45 Motormen’s mackintoshes. The Transport Committee met, when a letter was received from Haslingden Corporation suggesting another meeting of representatives from the three Corporations, to again look into the issue of a reduction of the tramway service, and the introduction of cheaper return fares on the omnibuses. It was resolved that a Sub-Committee be chosen to represent Accrington Corporation at a date yet to be fixed.

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