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

5. That providing these terms are accepted by the Tramway Company, the Sub-Committee were of the opinion the Council might favourably agree to an extension of the lease to 21 years from this date at the following rents. 6. The present rent £1,280 per annum or 4% on cost of construction. 7. The rent for last 7 years of existing lease £1,600 per annum = 5% on cost of construction. 8. The suggested rents for extending the lease for another 7 years - £1,520 for the first six years, The Committee heard a letter from the Chairman of the Church Local Board intimating that when the proposed new terminus at Church was laid, his Board would require a “slight lifting” to the centre of the road. The Town Clerk reported that all the necessary consents had been obtained in order to install the new terminus, and that the Borough Surveyor should proceed with the work as soon as the weather permitted. A letter was received from Mr Paige, Chairman of the Tramway Company, with regard to the Corporation’s relaying of the Baxenden and Church sections, requesting the Corporation ease their conditions to allow an ‘approved’ engineer employed by his Company to decide whether or not the work was being done in a ‘proper’ manner. The Town Clerk then referred this matter to the Town Council, whilst Alderman Kenyon reported the views of the Directors of the Tramway Company. It was resolved that the General Works Committee saw no reason to amend the terms and conditions settled at the last full meeting of the Council. It was resolved to bring the Tramway Company’s attention to the problems caused by water dripping out of their engines, with a request that the defective engines be repaired ‘without delay’. ( Another letter was received from the top brass of the Steam Tramway Company .) The Chantry, 27, Highbury Quadrant, N. LONDON. February 18 th , 1894. To A.H. AITKEN (Town Clerk), ACCRINGTON, re Tramway. Dear Sir, As Chairman of the Tramway Company, I am very desirous to be in a position to recommend to my Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on the 27 th instant to accept the assistance offered by your Corporation, to relay the Church and Baxenden Sections with Girder Rails. But I feel that I must have a weak case to place before them, insomuch as I can foresee there will be difficulties in satisfying them that the Corporation will not incur any unnecessary expense in executing this work. This is because your Corporation refuses to allow any supervision on the part of my Company or any voice in the system it has adopted. May I ask if the Committee would concede to allow my Company to employ a ‘practical’ Tramway Engineer, who would be approved by your Corporation to decide the method, to superintend and order this work, which should be carried through as expeditiously as is possible? I feel convinced that if these lines could be relaid and put in good order during the ensuing summer months, it would be beneficial to the travelling public, a saving to my Company and a credit to Accrington Corporation. I am, yours faithfully, W m . Perry Paige. March The Committee received a letter ( dated March 6 th ) from the Steam Tramway Company, refusing to accept the Corporation’s terms and conditions for the relaying of the Baxenden and Church sections. The other Sub-Committee reported on their visit to the Ellison Street depot of the Tramway Company, describing its condition as “disgraceful and in much need of repairs and painting, both internally and externally”. It was resolved that the Borough Surveyor prepare a detailed report as to what the Sub- £1,600 for the next seven years, £2,000 for the final seven years.

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