The £32 million railway station project in Golborne has been given the green light. Wigan Council has granted planning permission and a local firm has been appointed to lead the design.
The approval marks another key milestone in reconnecting Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now appointed Golborne-based engineering company Murphy to develop the detailed station designs, with the first trains expected to call at the station in 2027.
Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, said: “The community in Golborne have been waiting a long time for this. After years of campaigning and planning, it’s fantastic to see Golborne station reach this next milestone.
“This important transport infrastructure will bring better connectivity, help to reduce congestion and support local economic growth. Connectivity and growth across all of Leigh and Atherton is extremely important to me and I am excited to see the benefits this will bring to the town.
“Huge credit must go to Yvonne, Susan and Gena – Golborne and Lowton West Councillors for their tireless campaigning work.
“Thanks also to our Greater Manchester Mayor and this Labour Government for ensuring Golborne gets the connectivity it needs.”
The new station forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider ambition to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – creating the first fully-integrated transport system outside London.
Planning consent follows the UK Government’s approval of the station’s outline business case in January, which highlighted the transformational benefits it would bring to the area.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is a significant moment for Greater Manchester, with the approval of the planning application for Golborne station bringing us closer to reconnecting Golborne to the railway network for the first time in more than 60 years.
“Local residents have campaigned tirelessly for the restoration of rail services to Golborne. This approval is a victory for the community and a step towards realising our shared vision for better connectivity, easing congestion on local roads, reducing carbon emissions and supporting economic growth.
“We are committed to moving forward at pace with this project and bringing rail into the Bee Network – making it easier to get around the city-region. To have such a respected partner like Murphy on board to take the station through detailed design is a fantastic result, and we can then move swiftly through to construction. With roots in the community, they understand how better connections will open up access to skilled jobs and opportunities across the city-region while making Golborne an even greater place to live and work.”
TfGM, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and Wigan Council will now progress toward a full business case and detailed design stage, scheduled for 2025. Subject to final government approvals, construction is due to begin in 2026.