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

With regard to the proposed extension to the Ellison Street depot, it was resolved to make an application to the Unemployment Grant Commission for funding towards the cost of this work, which would help relieve the unemployment situation currently being felt throughout the area. The Borough Treasurer submitted a memorandum with regard to the outstanding debt of the Council’s tramway. The outstanding loans at March 31 st , 1930, with the number of years yet to run stood at - ITEM AMOUNT YEARS LEFT Permanent way £19,518 – 11s – 5d 8 Electrical equipment £810 – 10s – 0d 6 Tramcars #1 £4,344 – 0s – 0d 6 Tramcars #2 £339 – 0s – 0d 6 Tramcars #3 £4,028 – 0s – 0d 17 Land £3,585 – 1s – 8d 27 Depot £4,150 –17s – 5d 15 Cost of Tramway Act £551 – 6s – 0d 10 TOTAL £37,327 – 6s – 6d (Average 12 years) There is in hand an invested Sinking Fund £1,700 – 0s – 0d. Leaving total loans outstanding £35,627 – 6s – 6d. In addition there was 3% stock £33,833 – 12s – 0d Of which there was redeemed £21,240 – 0s – 0d. Leaving £12,593 -12s – 0d. Towards which there is a sum in hand £10,280 -4s – 0d. Leaving an outstanding debt £2,313 – 8s – 0d. The TOTAL outstanding debt is therefore £37,940 -14s – 6d . THE REINSTATEMENT OF TRACK The Borough Engineer estimated that the reinstatement of the roadway on the tramway system, based on the amount quoted by Lancashire County Council for the Manchester Road section will be £11,519. From this figure can be deducted the estimated scrap value of the rails @ £2,497, leaving a net cost of £9,022. The liabilities attached to the tramway system at March 31 st , 1930 are therefore - Outstanding debt = £37,941. The reinstatement of roads = £9,022. TOTAL = £46,963 . DEPRECIATION & RENEWALS FUND - at March 31 st , 1930 stood £58, 948. August On the 1 st the section of tramway between Market Street in Church and the Black Dog in Oswaldtwistle closed, to be replaced by buses. The Transport Committee met and on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee a deputation was appointed to represent Accrington at the conference referred to in their minutes, namely – The Chairman, the Vice-Chair, Alderman Higham and Councillor O’Connor along with the Town Clerk and the Transport Manager.

332