• An investment by automotive company PF Jones and Hanson Aggregates has led to the restoration of a north west trainline at Edge Green, Ashton-in-Makerfield/ Golborne, known commonly as the old Kelbit Line.

Ashton-in-Makerfield/ Golborne: PF Jones announced today the official reopening of a recently restored rail line by Hanson Aggregates will take place on the 17^th September 2018; the first industrial train to run on the line in years. The section of the line turns off the Haydock Branch Junction into Edge Green to serve current residents, Hanson Aggregates. Each train will bring in 22,300 tons of stone on 24 carriages to the site near Golborne and Ashton-in-Makerfield, drastically reducing the number of HGVs on the road.

Being from the area himself, Mr. Les Bailey, owner of PF Jones, is excited for the revival of the trainline, stating; “it feels like we’re bringing an old site back to life, the site is so historic for locals, some people may even have worked there or have family who used to work there.”

The rail line will be used to transfer stone from Hanson Aggregates Shap Quarry in Cumbria directly into the Hanson site at Edge Green (formerly Kelbit Bitumen), which lies on the border between Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golborne. The line connects to the Haydock Branch Junction which is still owned by Network Rail. The rail line will not only be good for the environment, but it will also be good for traffic in and around the Ashton and Golborne area – something which has been a problem for years.

Known more for their towbars and diesel services, PF Jones haven’t been afraid to invest in other ventures from converting campervans to purchasing land and property. PF Jones purchased the land and with it, the rail line in 2011 – since then Hansons has made large investments to restore and refurbish the line.

• Parts of the line have needed complete replacement due to the rails being bent out of shape and rotten sleepers.
• Other parts of the line have just needed restoring, such as removing vegetation and clearing the surroundings.
• The last train on the line was an enthusiasts train in 2015.
• Originally built in 1899, the line previously ran past the Haydock racecourse.