The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-12 00:00:00

GROUP XL[.

EAST maNcassiaz DEVIATION LINE.
Th'e Committee assembled to-day at one o'clock, when the business
Wliti opened by

Mr. Sergeant WEANGRAM, who, after describing the line generally,
went through the series of oppositions offered to the line. With
respect to the two branches of the line, it appeared by the traffle that
they would be as remunerative to the Company as they would prove
useful to the public.

Mr. Macaulay, the engineer, said that the line would pass over
some of the highest ground in Lancashire, which it was proposed to
get over by two inclined planes, on which there would be lin
40 and 1 in 96,: there being an intermediate gradient of I in 132.
Those gradients were deemed objectionable, and wen the several com-
panies were amalgamate. under the title of the East Lancashire Com-
panies, he was instructed to improve the gradients if possible, and had
therefore planned the deviations now before the Committee. The
moat objectionable gradient of 1 in 33 he had reduced to 1 in 39,
which was to be worked by an assistant locomotive. Thb- steepest
gradient in existence is one on the Gloucester Railway, which is 1
in 34. There Is one in the Glasgow and Edinburgh Railway of 1 in
42. Without these inclined planes there would have to be a tuutirl
six or seven miles long. The expense would be 74,0001.. and the
Snit deviation, which would run for 4 miles 5 furlongs along the
valley of the Erewell. That valley was one continued series of
manufacturing population, being studded with mills a 1 the way, and
was connected with the tributary valley on which Newchurch 1 ovvit
is placed. The second branch would be a mile and a hall in length,
and would cost 43,0001., and would principally accommodate Craw.:
shelve ; and this line, with the first, would accommodate a
population of upwards of eleven thousand, all engaged in
manufactures. The third deviation would cost 23,00 a, the
total coat of the whole being 200,000!. The Bill sought 300,000/.,
because originally the line was intended to be a single one, but now
it was intended to be a double line. The station also was to be en-
larged in consequence of the confluence of other railways. The ad-
ditional cost of the station w0,,1d be 30,0001., and the connexion with
Manchester and Liverpool would be completely opened.

The Committee nest took the
BLACKBURN AND BOLTON LINE,

the capital for which is 250,0001. The main line runs from the former
to the latter pace, going through the town of Darw:o, joining
the Bolton and Manchester line, it being intended also to
make a branch to the North British Railway at Clitheroe.
There was also to be another branch to Turton,
when it would be connected with the Liverpool and Bury Railway.
The length of the branch would be 6 miles 55 chains, the cost 150,0001.
This branch would go through a district altogether without accom-
modation, and which is a thickly peopled manufacturing district,
there being not less than 57 mills, and more than 20,000 Inhabitants.
Taking coals alone, there were as many as 57,000 tons used
in each year for domestic and trading purposes, and the
saving would be fully 10,0001. a year at the present rate
of consumption, beside the prevention of inconvenience. The
dye woods, oils, and chemical substances would also come by a much
quicker as well as cheaper transit. That this was no mean cons!.
deration was evident from the factofthe quantityof this sort of goods
now introduced into the neighbourhood of Bury. At one end there
was communication; there were Lines with all the radiating lines
leading to every part of the country, so that the communication was
alWays safe. Lastly, he might say two or three or words respecting
the opposition offered to it,:the only plea being a matter of gradient,
and such being the case he conceived that the opponents did. pot de-
serve the slightest consideration.
Mr. Vignoles was tken called to show the engineering character of
the line, and the Committee adjourned till Monday.