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

In Blackburn Road the setts were from 4” to 5” in depth, the concrete bed being from 6” to 7” below the rail level. The paving was in a generally bad condition, being in many places ½” to 1½” below the rails. Whilst at a large number of rail joints the paving had sunk from ½” to 1½” below the level of the rails. In two places the setts were standing 2” above the level of the rails. The wooden pavement near to the Town Hall was also in a bad state, the holes being 1” to 1½” below the rails. The repairs to the wood pavement have been done in a most unsatisfactory manner. On examining the paving again yesterday, I found it still in several places to be in a very poor condition, particularly on the Whalley Road and Manchester Road sections. Yours truly, W. G. Bryning PS The life of granite setts is 18 to 20 years and when properly laid down five years ago the lines were still alright.) ( Yet another independent inspector sent in his views on this subject .) Blackburn, October 15 th , 1897 Dear Sir, As requested by you I have made an inspection of the different tramways in your Borough & I beg to hand you herewith my report on the same. Whalley Road Section. The length of tramway extending from the Market Place to Clayton-le-Moors (with the exception of the length between Peel Street and Castle Street, recently repaired by your Corporation) is in a very bad state of repair. The metals are far worn and in several places the flange of the rails has been worn off. Most of the joints are loosened and a considerable portion of the rails require renewal. Some attempt has been made by the Tramway Company to repair this section but only on those portions of the road where the pavements are below the level of the metals has anything been done, although in many places the setts are over 2 inches above the rails. It is impossible to detail this as it is general throughout the whole length. The Company’s workmen were engaged upon the repairs during the time of my visit, but the work they were doing was of the most unsatisfactory nature, and entirely without any degree of permanency - the old setts being reused and in some cases these did not measure more than 3½inches deep and were worn round and being paved on a bed of ashes from 2 to 3 inches deep. This portion will be as bad as ever in 5 to 6 weeks’ time. Baxenden Section. The pavement repairs by the Company on this road is in somewhat better condition than the Whalley Road length, but the rail joints are generally loose and the setts 2 inches above the rails in places. I may also state that the whole of the crossing loops in this length

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