MUNICIPAL LIFE OF BLACKPOOL 87 



promoted and obtained an Act of Parliament authorising the construction of 

 new sea defence works and promenade known as the ' North Shore Works.' 

 These works, constructed in three tiers, were popularly known as ' the three- 

 decker,' and comprised a carriage drive, middle walk, and lower parade. They 

 were completed and opened in 1899. 



The Blackpool Borough Engineer and Surveyor (Mr. H. Banks) who from 

 his early years has been intimately associated with the Borough's sea defence 

 works, gives elsewhere full particulars of what has been accomplished since 

 1 895. The Corporation are the owners of the foreshore from end to end of the 

 borough, having acquired it at various dates from the Duchy of Lancaster, 

 and, by purchase, the Lords of the Manor of Layton, which comprises a large 

 part of the borough. 



The Corporation's Undertakings. 



Few towns are, unfortunately, in the happy position of Blackpool as regards 

 municipally-owned and operated undertakings. The Corporation own and 

 work the following : Gas, Electricity, Markets, Tramways and Buses, Sea 

 Water Works, Public Baths, Parks, Airport, Cemetery, Public Abattoirs, 

 Public Libraries and Housing Schemes. 



Gas. 



With few exceptions the undertakings are commercially prosperous, and 

 contribute substantial sums to the relief of the rates. The oldest is that 

 concerning the manufacture and supply of gas and residuals. Gas was first 

 supplied in Blackpool in 1851 by private enterprise. The works were not a 

 success, and in 1862 they were taken over by the then Local Board, and leased 

 for seven years. In 1869 the Local Board resumed possession, and the 

 Corporation as their successors have administered the undertaking. Sixty 

 years ago there were 2,000 consumers ; to-day the figure is 38,000. In 

 1896 there were 53 miles of mains, and in 1936 over 250 miles. During the 

 12 years preceding the town's incorporation (1876) the price of gas ranged from 

 5s. 1 Od. down to 5s. per 1 ,000 cubic feet. To-day the price varies from 2s. 3d. 

 to 2s. 9^d. per 1 ,000 cubic feet. Over 5,000 gas lamps are required to light 

 the borough. 



The capital expenditure of the undertaking up to March, 1935, was 

 £610,339. 



Tramways and Buses. 



The formal opening of Blackpool's tramway undertaking took place in 

 October, 1885, and the most sanguine anticipations of the operators, the 

 Blackpool Electric Tramway Co., Ltd., were realised. The Company 

 possessed only 10 cars, each with a carrying capacity of 34 to 52 passengers, 

 and it was thought they would be sufficient to meet requirements for all time. 



The lease to the operating company expired in 1892, and the Corporation 

 then took over the undertaking. The electric conductors were originally 

 placed under the road surface, on what was known as the conduit system, 

 operated at 250 volts pressure, there being no system of overhead traction in 



