One of west Lancashire's best known haulage firms has reached the end of the road…

And on Friday, transport operations ended at Baybutts of Burscough set up back in 1932 by Bill Baybutt who went on to run one of Burscough's best known and busiest hauliers.

But a health scare and old age has seen the transport side of the business finish, with every driver finding work at other local hauliers and the company now concentrating on renting out its warehouses on Plantation Road.

On Monday, QLocal reporter Roger Blaxall met Barry Evans, 69, of Hilldale who opened up the company's fascinating archives; he's recently returned to work after surviving sepsis and pneumonia.

"I was on sick leave for eight weeks and on my return MD Albert Baybutt, 76, decided it was time for both of us to call it a day," explained Barry who worked for the company for an amazing 46 years!

Baybutts employed 14 drivers at its peak with some of its largest contracts with Carborundum in Rainford and QVC in Kirkby. They also carried for Allied Mills in Burscough and their demise see just three large haulage companies in the village - Johnsons, Davenports and MJ Griffiths; another rival, Sephton's, stopped trading in summer.

So Allan Booth Transport don't exist then? Or W&M Thompson, DWT Transport, to name just three who have a presence in Burscough?


Do some research please.

Originally Posted by marky

So Allan Booth Transport don't exist then? Or W&M Thompson, DWT Transport, to name just three who have a presence in Burscough?


Do some research please.

"just three large haulage companies in the village"- Aren't Thompsons in RUFFORD? Dont know about DWT or ABT tho

Originally Posted by Boxster

"just three large haulage companies in the village"- Aren't Thompsons in RUFFORD? Dont know about DWT or ABT tho

"who have a presence in Burscough..." Bill Thompson acquired a plot on the airfield at Burscough many, many years ago and the company now has a yard there (opposite J&M Morgan - who share a yard with the aforementioned David Watts Transport (DWT - the successors to R Barker Transport)