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

the proposed sum at a meeting held on April 9 th , and appointed the Town Clerk and Cllr Sharples to act on its behalf using the additional services of Mr John Cross of Manchester, who was a surveyor and valuer as their arbitrator. The Steam Tramway Company chose as their arbitrator the engineer of the proposed extended tramway, a Mr Holt. More time was allowed for the mutually agreed choice of an umpire and whilst this was going on the Corporation’s delegation met with Mr Holt, and Messrs Chubb, Cramp and Newton. Following what are described as “amicable discussions”, the following settlement was agreed upon - 1. The Corporation would receive the sum of £160 per annum for a period of five years, plus a down payment of £320. 2. The Tramway Company would remove the passing loop opposite the Market Hall, and put in a triangular junction at the junction of Blackburn Road and Union Street, also install a passing loop on Abbey Street above the junction with ‘little’ Blackburn Road. 3. The Tramway Company was allowed to remove passing loops on Milnshaw Brow (Whalley Road), and Daisy Hill (opposite Wellington Street on Manchester Road). 4. The Tramway Company was allowed to substitute Gowen for Girder Rail, when renewing present tracks. 5. The Tramway Company was allowed to lengthen the inspection and cleaning pits in the Ellison Street depot. 6. The Tramway Company was allowed to make any junctions in order to facilitate extensions to the existing tramway, with continued through running beyond Baxenden unopposed by the Corporation. 7. The stock which could be purchased at the termination of the lease to consist of - • Eleven engines to be lettered ‘A’ (numbers 1 to 9 inclusive and 15 & 16). • Eleven trailer cars lettered ‘A’ (numbered 1 to 8 inclusive and 15, 16 & 17). • Any additional engines or trailer cars to be purchased only with the Corporation’s approval, and also covered by the provisions of the same covenant to purchase. The stock and materials in the Tramway Company’s possession at the termination of the lease to be sold pro-rata to the Corporation. 8. That any extension to Oswaldtwistle built either by the Tramway Company or ‘jointly’ with the Corporation should not affect the regularity of services to Accrington as was the case before the extension was built. 9. The Corporation had the power to licence any other owner or lessee of their tramway to run over all tracks belonging to the Tramway Company on payment of a mileage toll per carriage. The amount of this payment to be assessed from time to time and amended accordingly. The Tramway Company to insert a clause similar to Section 80 of the ‘Accrington Corporation Steam Tramways (Haslingden & Rawtenstall) Act 1887, replacing the words Blackburn Corporation with Accrington Corporation to give them the initiative to exercise their powers of purchase. 10. The Town Clerk would prepare a document supplemental to the lease to give effect to the above terms and conditions. Those acting on behalf of the Council recommended this agreement as - “It would prove of great benefit to the Corporation, the travelling public generally and at the same time the Tramway Company.” This would settle a complicated and serious dispute, which if it had gone to arbitration would have proved expensive to both parties. It firmly established good feeling and a friendly relationship between Accrington Corporation and the Accrington Corporation Steam Tramways Company. The agreement was signed off on April 30 th , 1888. March The Town Clerk was authorised to serve the Tramway Company with a notice requiring them to put “the line of the Tramway into a proper state of repair”, this work to be completed within fourteen days. Also if this notice was not complied with, then the Borough Surveyor would arrange for all necessary repairs to be carried out, and the expense charged to the Tramway Company. This meeting authorised the Borough Surveyor to make a monthly inspection of the tramway and the state of repair and maintenance of the same, and report this back to the General Works Committee.

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