Green light for Manchester’s first new train station in over 20 years

Plans to build a brand-new £32m train station that would connect a Greater Manchester town to a rail network for the first time in more than 60 years have been given the go-ahead.

Wigan Council has given the green light to the planning application for the station in Golborne, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has appointed local company Murphy to design it.

Golborne currently has no tram or train services to Manchester, and the proposed station would reduce journey times into the city centre by up to 30 minutes.

TfGM, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Wigan Council, working with the Government, will now develop a full business case and detailed design this year.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, 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.

Work is now expected to start on the new station in 2026, with the first trains stopping there in 2027.

The proposal includes a new accessible two-platform rail station with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park and new walking and cycling links to the town centre.

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “The Council has worked closely with Transport for Greater Manchester, ensuring the new station will deliver the best for the local community and wider area, and connect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in decades.

“Community wealth building, keeping the local pound in our borough, and supporting our local supply chain is a real priority for us and I am delighted that a local, Golborne-based company has been appointed to deliver the next phase of this exciting project.

“The new Golborne station will make a real difference to people’s lives and our wider region and this announcement is another step forward in making it a reality.”