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

are of the old Barker Rails, and are very loose and dangerous. These should be replaced with metals of a sound nature without delay. Church Section. This section of the Tramway is at this present time in fair condition, having recently been repaired. There are, however, a considerable number of loose joints, and the paving in places is much too high above the metals. In this repair the old setts have been reused causing wide joints in the pavement, which is very irregular and water has a tendency to lodge on the surface. Yours faithfully, William Stubbs, (Borough Highways & Water Engineer). December The Town Clerk reported to a meeting of the Legal & Parliamentary Committee that the Borough Surveyor along with the Electrical Engineer had made an inspection of the Tram Depot and the Ellison Street site on the Tenement. The Engineer had pointed out the ‘great’ advantage of the area bounded by Hyndburn Road and Fort Street, over the alternative St. James’ Street site. This was with particular regard to a greater economy of building and construction and the addition of any extensions, the size of the site, which would afford space for machinery and stores and with regard to accommodation for staff when the Tramway was turned over to electric traction. It was resolved in view of this report that an area of Ellison’s Tenement adjoining the Tramway depot would be chosen in favour of the St. James’ Street site, which would now be disregarded. ( This site on St. James’ Street was not the one which was later developed as the municipal baths .) 1898 (This was the first year in which the alternative to steam traction was seriously pursued due to the intervention of a third party, but this only highlighted the difficulties which accepting their proposed buyout of the Accrington Steam Tramways Company would encounter. The strife between the Corporation and the current operators with regard to the maintenance of the system still persisted, although the Corporation was keen to add to the facilities provided by the Tramway with the introduction of an additional service to the public.) January The Town Clerk read out correspondence from the Tramway Company requesting a meeting with a deputation from the Council, to discuss the repairs to the Tramway’s margins on Whalley Road. It was resolved that a deputation consisting of the Mayor, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the General Works Committee along with the Town Clerk would confer with the representatives of the Company for this purpose. The Town Clerk reported on the deputation’s meeting with the representatives of the Tramway Company with respect to the paving following repairs to the Tramway on Whalley Road. They had agreed to pave the margins of the Tramway on Whalley Road, and with the prior approval of the General Works Committee, do all the work necessary at a cost of 7 shillings per square yard of paving to one linear yard of track paved on both sides of the lines. It was resolved the Town Clerk prepare the necessary written agreement for both parties to sign. March The Town Clerk submitted a copy of the Blackburn Tramways Act of 1882 to the Legal & Parliamentary Committee This contained a clause permitting the Blackburn Tramway Company to run their engines and cars over the lines belonging to Accrington Corporation, subject to the engines and cars of the Accrington Steam Tramway Company being able to run over the lines owned by Blackburn Corporation, having obtained licence to do so by Accrington Corporation. The Town Clerk was authorised to examine this Bill and report if the clause was altered to the disadvantage of Accrington Corporation’s interests. The Borough Surveyor reported that in “numerous places” the Baxenden Section of the Tramway required repairs to be carried out. It was resolved the Chairman of the Tramway Company be requested to see these repairs were carried out ‘without delay’. April The Borough Surveyor reported the work to pave a section of Whalley Road from the top of Castle Street to the railway arch was about to begin, and requested instructions as to the repaving of the

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