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

November The Transport Committee met, and as instructed in a resolution passed in October, the Sub Committee considered the question of substituting omnibuses for tramcars on the Oswaldtwistle service, in view of the contemplated early commencement of the work of reconstructing Union Road. The Sub Committee also took into consideration the question of the abandonment of the Church section of the tramway. Following lengthy discussions it was resolved to recommend the Council to proceed with the closing of the section between Accrington and Church immediately after the completion of the reinstatement of the road surface on the section between Church and Oswaldtwistle. The Town Clerk submitted a letter from the Ministry of Labour to the Transport Sub-Committee, stating that they had approved a grant from the Unemployed Grants Commission from the Exchequer’s Fund for an extension to the garage on Ellison Street on the following terms – “Half of the interest on approved expenditure out of a loan not exceeding £3,380 to be raised to meet the cost. The grant to be payable for 15 years or for the period of the loan, whichever is the least.” The Town Clerk reported that the Borough Surveyor had obtained approval from the County Council for the removal of the tram tracks on Abbey Street, from the top of ‘little’ Blackburn Road to Peel Street, and that this work could be undertaken at any convenient time. He then reported that Blackburn Corporation had posted notice under the Borough Funds Acts 1872 & 1903, that they intended to seek powers in the Bill they were now promoting in the current Session of Parliament for (amongst other purposes) the following - “To restrict the operation of motor omnibuses in competition with the tramway or trolleybus services of Blackburn Corporation.” It was resolved to refer this development to the Accrington Parliamentary Committee to take whatever steps they thought necessary in connection with this Bill. The Sub Committee then reported on the meeting they had attended in Burnley with representatives from their Corporation, to discuss a working relationship with them and Ribble Motor Services for the operation of a ‘joint’ omnibus service. It was resolved that, subject to confirmation by the two Corporations, two representatives from each would approach Ribble with a view to reaching an agreement. December At a meeting of the General Purposes Committee and with regard to the minute of the Transport Committee of November 26 th on the subject of the Blackburn Corporation Bill, it was resolved that the Common Seal should be affixed to the Petition to be presented to Parliament in opposition to the Bill, with particular attention to that part which sought powers “To restrict the running of omnibuses in competition with the tramway services of Blackburn Corporation”, and that this matter should be referred to the Parliamentary Committee to take such steps as they thought necessary to protect the interests of Accrington Corporation. At a meeting of the Transport Sub-Committee they would have a discussion on the abandonment of the Clayton Section of the tramway and the substitution of omnibuses on the service. The following members were appointed to represent Accrington, the Chairman, Vice-Chair, Alderman Higham and Councillor Dawson. The Town Clerk reported he had received a cheque from Ribble Motor Services for £100 in respect of the Corporation’s claim for the damage sustained by tramcar #22 in an accident in Haslingden which occurred on February 14 th last. Following on the earlier meeting of the Sub-Committee the Transport Committee met and the Transport Manager was given authority to dispose of scrap metal from the ‘old’ tramcars, and it was left to his discretion as to how any money raised was to be put to use. The Town Clerk then reported on the decision by the Town Hall & Markets Committee, with regard to the use of the subterranean toilets in Dutton Street by uniformed staff from the Transport departments, both tram and bus. It was resolved to accept the terms of their decision and the Transport Manager was instructed accordingly. The Transport Committee met, when they considered the question of allowing legless ex-servicemen free travel passes. It was agreed to grant this privilege to all persons residing in Accrington who were able to satisfy the Transport Manager that their disability came within the definition laid down by the Council in granting these concessions previously on application from the Discharged & Disabled Soldiers, & Sailors, Association and the Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association. This subject to the proviso that the Corporation would not accept any liability or be responsible for any accidents arising out of any ‘free’ journeys. It was finally resolved that the disposal of old tramcar seats should be referred to the Sub-Committee for further investigations. 1931 (The full transition from having both a tramway service and an omnibus service operating, to just a service of buses was now well underway, with all the associated legal niceties having to be observed. The

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