Whilst this article does not directly relate to Walton le Dale, it is of relevance to the area, as the Old Tram Road runs through Walton le Dale. Historically, most of the Tram Road was in Walton le Dale, and now the longest section of intact route is in the area. That runs from London Way (A6 – Bamber Bridge Bypass) to the River Ribble. You can travel on it from Todd Lane North to Avenham Park in Preston.
ΤHE ENGINE-HOUSE AND TRAMWAY AT AVENHAM.
The minutes of a meeting of the Health and Recreation Committee, held on the 10th Instant, having been read,
Mr. R. PARKER asked for Information with respect to the removal of the engine-house at Avenham. He believed that what had already taken place was prejudicial to the interests of the town.
Mr. Alderman MILLER replied that it was intended to widen the bridge, which was so dilapidated that the railway company intended to construct a fresh one. It was desirable, if possible, to procure the removal of the engine-house on the top of the hill, and to see whether such an arrangement might not be made as that the carriages might be drawn up by some other method than that now practised. In a day or two Mr. Park would have an interview with one of the directors on the subject.
Mr. PARK said that, in accordance with the resolution of the committee, be had seen Mr. Marshall, who referred him to Mr. Johnson, the company’s engineer, who said that Mr. Fisher must be consulted on the subject. The resolution was that there should be a bridge built on the same level as the present tram-bridge. That was in consequence of representations made by him (Mr. Park) to the railway company that they could not get an inclination better than 1 in 20 without interfering with the property of the Corporation. The Corporation, he thought, would see that it was to the interest of the town to get rid of the engine-house. To do so it would be necessary to get an inclination of 1 in 30, and to effect this they must take away a small portion of the top of “Jackson’s garden.” The company proposed to raise the bridge something like 10 or 12 feet, and run the Inclination from the other side of the river; and they were going to make a section. Mr. Marshall and himself would have an interview with the parties concerned in a few days.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.
Date: Saturday, April 19th, 1856
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207445531/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=6&xid=c60a088b
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