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Football rivalries were put aside as the Mayors of Bolton and Wigan teamed up to celebrate a historic railway milestone. More than 60 guests attended at the reception in Bolton Town Hall to mark 200 years since the green light was given for construction on the Bolton and Leigh Railway. The mayors cut a ceremonial cake, provided by Park Cakes of Bolton marking the occasion.
The railway was the first in the North West to get an Act Parliament, which was signed on March 31, 1825. Mayors of Bolton and Wigan with Julia Hulton (Image: Paul Salveson) Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, said that they "have plenty to celebrate!". He was joined by the Mayor of Wigan, Debbie Parkinson, to cut the cake.
Cllr Morgan said: "2025 is the bi-centenary of the railways and there are celebrations underway across the country "The Bolton & Leigh Railway was the first railway in the north-west to receive an Act of Parliament - on the 31st. of March 1825, so we’ve plenty to celebrate!" (Image: ugc) He continued “This railway opened on the 1st of August in 1828 and predated the Liverpool and Manchester Railway by over two years. "It started running passenger trains three years before the Stockton and Darlington.
.. Its origins lay in the need to transport coal from the Hulton Collieries to both Liverpool and Manchester, via a railway linked to the two canals at either end of the line.
"Today’s reception is the beginning of a series of events that will mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the historic Bolton and Leigh Railway, on August 1st 1828. "Let us look forward to this anniversary being a catalyst to promote our town’s important historical heritage, through events which bring us all together to celebrate a very special achievement – the first public railway in the North-West.” Professor Paul Salveson, vice-chair of Bolton & Leigh 200 and chair of the Rocket All Aboard Partnership, said: “The opening of the Bolton and Leigh in 1828 sits between the Stockton and Darlington Railway of 1825, which we’re celebrating this year, and the Liverpool and Manchester of 1830.
"What all three railways have in common is the figure of George Stephenson - and his son Robert. "George engineered the lines and Robert built the locomotives. The first loco to be used on the Bolton line was ‘Lancashire Witch’ built by Robert Stephenson at his Newcastle factory.
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uk The year 1825 marked the birth of the modern railway in Britain, and celebrations to mark the occasion are underway across the country. Outside the historic Bolton and Leigh Railway Crossing House at Chequerbent. The original line went across the A6 (Image: Paul Salveson) The celebrations are being held under the banner of Railway 200 – with Bolton's events held under Bolton and Leigh Railway 200.
Derek Bullock, chair of Bolton and Leigh 200, said: "“I’m delighted that we were able to hold such an important and prestigious bi-centenary event for the Bolton & Leigh Railway in the Mayor's Parlour at Bolton Town Hall , with over 60 guests from across the North of England enjoying the speeches and especially the amazing ceremonial cake that Park Cakes had supplied. "Special thanks go to the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton and the Mayor of Wigan and our special guest Julia Hulton who is a direct descendant of the Georgian era Hultons who created the railway. "A very big thanks must also go to South-East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership who helped fund the event, as well as students at the University of Bolton for their great artwork.
” READ MORE: Railcards and train fares increase from March 2025 READ MORE: Northern Trains to get up to 450 new trains in huge upgrade READ MORE: Cheap train ticket hack that can cut fares by 78 per cent The Olive Tree Primary School will be holding the next stage of celebrations which will be a community gala. The school is located on the site of the original 1828 Daubhill station, at the top of the rope-hauled incline from Bolton. The school will be hosting a ‘Day for Daubhill’ in partnership with Bolton and Leigh Railway 200.
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