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

In most cases the Corporations have agreed that our Engineer shall be consulted with regard to the plant installed by the Corporation for the purposes of supplying the Tramway, and we strongly advise you take this course in the event of your Corporation adopting our proposals. With regard to the general ability of my Company to carry out the scheme proposed, I cannot do any better than to forward to you a list of the Chief Officials of my Company. For the British Electrical Traction Company Ltd, Yours truly, George Stevens, (Secretary). The Legal & Parliamentary Committee considered the offer from the Tramway Company for an extension of their existing lease to enable them to adopt the electrical system of traction. Following discussions it was resolved to obtain the views of Haslingden and Rawtenstall Corporations on various aspects on this subject. The Town Clerk was authorised to correspond with the two authorities, to determine what might be their course of action on one of the following suggested proposals - 1. Would they be prepared to join a purchase of the Tramway Company’s undertaking, with each corporation buying the lines in its own district, with a proportionate amount of the rolling stock and plant? 2. Would they be prepared to waive their respective powers of purchase of these lines for a period of 21 years, in case Accrington Corporation agreed to purchase the entire undertaking in order to convert it to electric traction? 3. Would they be prepared to defer their respective powers of purchase for a period of 21 years if Accrington Corporation agreed to extend the existing lease for another 21 years? The Legal & Parliamentary Committee heard a letter from the Town Clerk of Haslingden, with reference to the resolution passed at the Committee’s last meeting. It requested a joint meeting between representatives of the three authorities, in order to exchange views on these propositions. It was resolved the Town Clerk would reply to the effect that even though Accrington would appoint representatives, they did not consider there would be any material advantage until the two other corporations had adopted a definite course of action on the three alternatives already submitted to them. It was further resolved that if this meeting was insisted upon, a deputation of the Mayor, the Chairman and two councillors would attend. December The H ealth C ommittee’s Inspector reported how they had received ‘frequent’ complaints about the nuisance caused by the spilling of water and grease from the Tramway Company’s engines whilst they were in front of the Town Hall. It was resolved the Town Clerk write to the Tramway Company requesting they attend to this nuisance ‘forthwith’.

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CHAPTER 3

INTO THE 20 th CENTURY 1900 (The magnitude of the work it would entail to bring all sections of the tramway up to standard became apparent, whilst there were more negotiations on the proposal to buy out the Accrington Steam Tramway Company before their lease expired, but at least one corporation was not enthusiastic about the prospect.). January Another street tramway was proposed during 1900 named the Blackburn, Whalley & Padiham Light Railway. On September 25 th , a local enquiry was arranged by the Commissioner for Light Railways. This line was to have left the Blackburn Corporation Tramway at Furthergate and run along the main road to Burnley to Eachill Road in Rishton, where it would divide into two separate tracks. One line

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