Greater Manchester has plans to build the first railway station in the city region for over 20 years at Golborne in Wigan.
The station would be a key part of the Bee Network – making it easier to get around by bus, tram, train, walking, wheeling and cycling. Local rail services are expected to join the Bee Network by 2030.
Golborne currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester, so train services would reduce journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes.
A public consultation in early 2024 showed high levels of support for the station proposals, and the planning application for the new station has been approved by Wigan Council. TfGM has also appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the final station designs. Read the news release on the planning application.
Subject to local authority and government approvals, work could start on site in 2026 – and the new station open in 2027.
TfGM is working with Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the £32 million station plans. As well as the station, we’re looking at ways to improve the town and areas around the station, making them even better places to live and visit.
The station and local improvements scheme would be paid for by locally devolved government funding.
The station and service proposals
The proposed station would be on the West Coast Main Line, five miles south of Wigan North Western station and one mile north of Golborne Junction – near to the site of the previous Golborne Station.
It would have:
- An hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria and onwards to Stalybridge (times of day to be determined), subject to government approval.
- An accessible station including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms.
- Digital customer information screens with real-time train information, passenger assistance intercom, seating and waiting shelters.
- Safety features including CCTV, lighting inside and outside the station.
- As well as a station entrance from the west side of the new station (near Railway Rd), proposals will include exploring the potential for a new eastern access to Golborne town centre.
- Train tickets available to purchase via ticket machines on both platforms, or on rail operator websites and apps.
- Improved cycling, walking and wheeling links between the station and the town centre. This would include improved crossings and an accessible route between the town centre, station and car park, making it easier for everyone to access the station.
- An improved and updated town centre car park next to the proposed station. The car park would be fully resurfaced and have upgraded lighting and CCTV, creating a safer, more pleasant environment for users. The car park would include disabled bays, EV charging bays, a taxi drop-off area, and cycle parking.
Take a look at a CGI flythrough of the proposals:
Public engagement exercise
In January 2024, TfGM (in partnership with Wigan Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority) carried out a six-week public consultation on the Golborne station proposals.
Nearly 3,000 people got in touch to give us their views, with over 90% of respondents supporting the plans. Thanks to everyone that took the time to get involved.
You can read the engagement exercise report, giving a summary of how we ran the exercise, an analysis of the responses received, and the next steps.
What will happen next?
We’re using consultation feedback to help shape the final station designs and plans for the car park, electric vehicle charging and active travel (cycling and walking) links.
Now the planning application has been approved, Greater Manchester aims to submit a final business case to government in 2025.
The consultation feedback will also be considered before a final business case is submitted to the government.
Work could start on site as early as 2026 – with the aim of opening the new station in 2027.
Funding
Some of the funding for the work has been provided through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which saw Greater Manchester awarded £1.07bn to help deliver the Bee Network.
