Area: Allen
Started: June 1951
Finished: March 1952
Poles used: 671
Line used (km): 53
Premises connected: 260
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
A canal barge was used to transport material in Allen as reported in The REO News from June 1952.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Allen Rural Area: The post-construction report on Allen area is compiled by Mr. T. Poole, A.O. Of the original 291 economic acceptances, 30 became backsliders, thus rendering two others uneconomic, but as against this 59 new consumers were obtained, giving a final total of 318.
Mr. Poole gives the following analysis of the backsliders: 11 persons gave no excuse; in three cases the new P.e. would not install supply in the parish schools; two houses became vacant; three houses were condemned; five houses were almost derelict and the owners were arranging to build new houses; six consumers said they could not afford to have their houses wired.
It is noted that the consumers lost were mostly from small houses but the gains were from fairly substantial premises. As a result, the annual Fixed Charge Revenue shows an increase from £1,439 to £1,693. The extra expenditure involved amounted to £432 labour and £87 material and it is anticipated that the return for the area will be improved from 7.95% to 9.02%. Some of the over-expenditure in labour is accounted for by the fact that there is a large amount of bog in this region, with a fair distribution of rock in the remainder. There is, too, the fact that working in boggy country during winter months is hard. Poles have to be carried in by hand and cannot be dragged in the usual manner. Mr. Poole instances a case where it was necessary to hire a local canal barge to transport material into the heart of the area and Mr. Poole says that but for the fact that on the January morning the barge set off from Robertstown loaded with 30 tons of material for six groups and jacked to the canal banks. The material was dropped at each group as the barge went on. Since a bargain was struck at £5 per day for boat and lollosman, it was quite a profitable undertaking, but, as Mr. Poole remarks – “unfortunately we soon ran short of canals”.
Of the final figure of 318 consumers, only 6 were not ready for connection on completion of construction, and of those houses wired for some time and awaiting connection with the remaining 312, 307 had already been connected, which must be regarded as a praiseworthy performance.
Total sales in the area amounted to £668, the principal items being: 1 Grain Grinder, 2 – 3 H.P. Motors, 1 – 2 H.P. Motor, 2 Deep Well Pumps; 1 Shallow Well Pump; 1 Welder;
1 – 3-Plate Cooker, 1 – 2-Plate Cooker, 3 Kettles, 3 Irons, 1 Vacuum Cleaner."