A striking flythrough video of the proposed £32 million Golborne rail station has been unveiled, offering the first detailed glimpse of the design and phased construction approach. The station, set to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over six decades, is scheduled to begin construction in 2026.
The video was shared by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham during a community drop-in session on 18 November, marking what he described as “the next major milestone” for the project.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“This is the next major milestone for Golborne train station, with the latest designs showcasing the transformation that’s on the way, with a station right at the heart of this community.”
"Golborne will play a vital role in our ambitious plans to make travel across Greater Manchester easier, greener, simpler and more connected.
This forms part of our plans to expand the Bee Network, with 64 stations joining by 2028 and a further 32 by 2030 – a major step towards delivering a fully integrated transport system for our city-region. I’m pleased that, after decades of being cut off from our train network, Golborne will be at the heart of the change.”
A Strategic Step for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), working in partnership with Wigan Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), is leading delivery of the station. Following strong public backing during the 2024 consultation, planning approval was granted in April this year. TfGM subsequently appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the station design, incorporating community feedback.
The final business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport in early 2026, with construction expected to commence in summer, subject to approval.
Golborne currently lacks direct bus, train, or tram links to Manchester. The new station will introduce an hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, cutting journey times into the city centre by up to 30 minutes.
Design Features and Connectivity
The station will feature two accessible platforms, enhanced car parking, and improved walking and cycling routes to the town centre. It will also enable seamless integration between local bus and rail services, supporting Greater Manchester’s vision for a fully connected Bee Network by 2030.
Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said:
“The new station is a really important development for Golborne, connecting it to the rail network for the first time in decades, and we’ve been working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure it really delivers for the local community.
It’s really exciting to get a glimpse of what’s to come and we’re looking forward to seeing the development start to come to life.”
The station aligns with regeneration ambitions for Golborne and the emerging Golborne & Lowton West Neighbourhood Plan. Located less than 2km from Haydock Park Racecourse, it will also provide sustainable travel options for racegoers, reducing road congestion.
Local and Industry Support
Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, said:
“I’m excited to see Golborne Station moving forward at pace, as part of a £32m investment to reconnect the town to the rail network - for the first time in over 60 years.
The station will transform local connectivity, cut journey times to Manchester by up to 30 minutes and support sustainable travel. It’s been a long time in the making and a huge credit goes out to local councillors and residents who have been pushing this forward to get us to where we are now.”
The station will be the first new build in Greater Manchester for over 20 years and the first delivered through locally devolved government funding.
Nick Fletcher, UK Managing Director at Murphy, said:
“With Murphy having had a presence in Golborne for the last 50 years, we were particularly delighted to be appointed to this project alongside our valued supply chain, including design partner WSP.
In parallel with the design works, we are currently progressing plans for the build phase. As a company, Murphy is focused on improving life by delivering world-class infrastructure and this project will do just that - greatly improving transport links in the local area for the benefit of the surrounding communities.”
Image and video credit: TfGM
