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

September At a meeting of the Transport Committee, a letter was received from Oswaldtwistle UDC stating they would require the use of forty of the ex-tramway standards for the purpose of lighting Union Road after the trams had been withdrawn, providing Accrington Corporation had no objections. It was resolved that the Transport Manager would meet with representatives from Oswaldtwistle to negotiate the terms for a transfer of ownership. October The Transport Committee met and averting to the minute passed at the previous meeting, the Transport Manager reported he had received an offer from Oswaldtwistle UDC of £2 per tramway standard, £80 in total for the transfer of ownership of the forty along Union Road. It was resolved that since Accrington would have no further use for them, this offer would be acceptable with the proviso that Accrington Corporation was to be indemnified against any loss, damage or claim arising out of the use of these standards by Oswaldtwistle UDC in future, as used for the purposes of providing gas lighting. The Town Clerk reported that Oswaldtwistle UDC had now made arrangements with Lancashire County Council for the reconstruction of the road surface along Union Road, and it would now be necessary to consider the question of providing a substitute service of omnibuses on this section. It was resolved the Sub-Committee would investigate this matter and report back. It was further resolved the Sub-Committee should also consider the abandonment of the section of tramway between Accrington and Church, and make a report. The Transport Manager then submitted his proposals for a revision of the tramway services on the Clayton-le-Moors Section as follows – DAYS Present service Proposed service Mondays, Wednesday & Thursdays 07:36 to 16:00 every 12 minutes, 16:00 to 23:00 every 10 minutes. Every 10 minutes all day. Tuesday & Fridays 07:36 to 13:00 every 12 minutes, 13:00 to 20:00 every 7 ½ minutes, 20:00 to 23:00 every 10 minutes. Every 10 minutes all day. Saturdays 07:36 to 11:00 every 12 minutes, 11:00 to 14:00 every 7 ½ minutes, 14:00 to 23:18 every 6 minutes. 07:50 to 11:00 every 10 minutes. 11:00 to 23:15 every 7 minutes. Sundays 09:40 to 13:00 every 20 minutes, 13:00 to 17:00 every 12 minutes, 17:00 to 22:50 every 10 minutes. 09:40 to 13:00 every 20 minutes, 13:00 to 23:00 every 12 minutes. It was resolved that these revised services should be put into operation for a period of three months commencing on October 30 th , and subject to a review at the culmination of this period. It was finally resolved the Transport Manager should carry out a review of the tramway fares in the Borough and then submit a report. At a meeting of the Town Council, the minute of the Transport Committee with regard to the proposed revision of the tramway services on the Clayton-le-Moors Section was referred back for further consideration. The Committee then considered again the proposed revision of the tramway service on the Clayton-le-Moors, which would not affect the provision of the current workmen’s services. It was ultimately resolved they should be put into operation after the next meeting of the Full Council. It was resolved that the Sub-Committee would meet again on Monday, the 24 th , to consider all matters relating to the abandonment of the tramway in Oswaldtwistle. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Accrington Branch of the Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association requesting the same privileges to be extended to its members, as had been granted to the Discharged & Disabled Soldiers and Sailors Association some years ago with regard to free travel. It was resolved to grant this request. The Transport Manager was then authorised to advertise for tenders for the supply of uniforms for the employees of his department. Finally, the Town Clerk reported he had now received the Formal Order from the Ministry of Transport made under the provisions of Section 80 of the Accrington Corporation Act of 1928, authorising the abandonment of the Haslingden Section of the tramway. He had arranged for this to be published in the ‘London Gazette’ as was required by law. The Town Clerk was then instructed to formulate a code of Bye-Laws and Regulations applicable to the operation of motor omnibuses

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