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

The Secretary of the Accrington Steam Tramway Company stated he had made enquiries to ascertain the cost of repairs on Bradford Corporation’s tramway, where steam traction is also used. The following figures were obtained in ‘similar circumstances’ to those appertaining in Accrington, and had been supplied by the Borough Surveyor of Bradford Mr J. H. Cox, and his assistant Mr Dawson. Section Frequency Average cost per mile of single track Manchester Road Every 7 minutes £37 per year over 9 years

Allerton

Every 30 minutes Every 15 minutes Every 15 minutes

£29 per year over 4 years

Cheapside

£34 per year over 3 years

Keighley

£16 per year over 3 years

The Tramway’s Secretary had also made similar enquiries of Huddersfield Corporation, who worked their lines themselves, but this had not been forthcoming. He further stated the total cost of renewals and repairs of Accrington Corporation’s lines, including the Haslingden and Rawtenstall sections, were for the year ending December 31 st 1895 = £337, and for 1896 = £451, although his Company did not keep an itemised account of the cost of these repairs. These figures equated to a cost per mile of £37 for 1895 and £49 for 1896. In reply to the question of how much money had the Company spent on new granite setts since they took possession of the tramway, the Secretary stated it was a sum not in excess of £25. The Secretary claimed that Mr Cox, the Borough Surveyor of Bradford, had assured him that the sum of £50 per mile, per annum, would be an ample payment for the Company to pay the Corporation in order to relieve them of the burden of Covenant, which required them to renew, repair and maintain the tramway. The Company’s deputation then retired from the meeting for a short time, and on returning offered the sum of £60 per mile, per annum. Your Sub-Committee had instructed the Borough Surveyor to obtain further information from Bradford Corporation and similar particulars from Huddersfield. The terms of a similar arrangement between the Blackburn Tramway Company and Blackburn Corporation are about to be concluded, but it should be born in mind that Blackburn’s tramways were not laid down until 4 or 5 years after those in Accrington. The following reply ( dated May 31 st ), was received from Mr Cox - The figure of £50 per mile of single line per annum was based on the assumption that, as Mr Jeffs had indicated they were in good order and had only been laid down within the past two years. I was therefore under the impression that brand new rails and setts had been used. I also took into consideration that the Lease would be expiring in ten years’ time. The figures given by Mr Dawson to Mr Jeffs are correct, but the dates of construction should be noted as follows -

The Manchester Road line – in 1884. The Keighley Road section – in 1885. The Allerton section – in 1887. The Cheapside/Otley Road section – in 1888.

The life of the rails on the Manchester Road line will not be more than 15 years. The lifespan of well-dressed granite setts is about 25 years. It is therefore expected that the Manchester Road line will have to be relaid in 1899. These figures do not include the cost of any renewals, as our tram rails have all been supplied by the Barrow Steel Company, and vary in weight from 103lbs to 109lbs per linear yard. These rails I prefer to those of ‘foreign’ manufacture. Yours etc. J. H. Cox. (Borough Surveyor, Bradford.)

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