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

inhabitants of the district a continuous and efficient tramway system from Bacup through Accrington to Clayton-le-Moors and Church. It is proposed to apply for powers to extend the present system of tramways in various directions. It is hardly necessary to point out to your Committee the great advantages that would accrue to the whole of the district in having all of the outlying points brought into quick and direct communication with one another by a system of Electric Tramways. With these preliminary remarks, I beg to lay before you the following proposals for the consideration of your Committee. 1. The Corporation to agree to forego their right to purchase under the “Accrington Corporation Steam Tramways (Haslingden & Rawtenstall Extension) Act, 1887” for a period of 21 years commencing from the date of the Board of Trade Certificate authorising the lines to be worked by Electric Traction, and the Corporation to give all necessary consents for the lines to be so worked. 2. As an alternative to the proposal contained in N o 1. The Corporation to at once to exercise their powers of purchase under the before-mentioned Act, and to grant the lease of the tramways to the Company for a period of 21 years commencing from the date of the Board of Trade’s Certificate authorising the lines to be worked by Electric Traction. 3. The Company shall pay to the Corporation during the term of such a lease a rent equal to 5% per annum on the amount expended by the Corporation in the purchase and reconstruction of the Tramways. 4. In the event of proposal N o 2 being adopted, the Corporation to carry out all the necessary work upon the Tramways and to reconstruct where necessary, and in all respects prepare the rails of the Tramways in order that the overhead system of electricity may be adopted as the motive power for working the Tramways, and we suggest that this work should be done under the supervision of the Engineer of the British Electric Traction Company. My Company to pay the Corporation interest and sinking fund upon the reasonable outlay of the Corporation in carrying out these works, or in alternative my Company is prepared, if it is preferred by the Corporation, to carry out these works themselves, and at its own expense. 5. My Company to renew, maintain, and keep in good condition and repair all the tramways, rails, crossings, passing places and junctions of the tramways, or should the Corporation prefer to do the repairs themselves, my Directors will be prepared to discuss the question when they next meet your Committee. 6. The Company will, at its own cost, provide, install, and maintain all the necessary overhead equipment, for working the lines by Electric Traction. 7. The Company will purchase from the Corporation, on terms to be agreed upon, or failing agreement to be settled by the Board of Trade, the electric current necessary for working the Tramway within the Borough. (The Company would suggest that the

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