Golborne Rail Station Work Starts: Opening for Wigan Town 2026

Key Points

• Construction work on Golborne Railway Station, the first new station in Greater Manchester in 25 years, has been officially commenced.
• The £36 million investment will restore the link between Golborne and the rail network after an interruption of over 60 years since 1961.
• Service is expected to begin in Spring 2028, with trains operating at one-hour intervals from Wigan to Stalybridge through Manchester Victoria.
• Passengers will benefit from a 30% reduction in journey time into the city center from the new station.
• Golborne-based Murphy Engineering Company will act as the main contractor for construction.
• It will include step-free access, a footbridge, lifts, digital information boards, closed circuit television cameras, and better lighting.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and Wigan Council are implementing the project using locally devolved government funds.
• The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, has visited the site on the occasion of the construction work commencing.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) September 30, 2026 – Construction work has begun on Greater Manchester’s first new railway station in a quarter of a century, marking a historic milestone for the town of Golborne on the outskirts of Wigan. The project, which will restore rail links to the community for the first time in more than 60 years, is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Wigan Council, with funding provided through locally devolved government resources.

What is the Golborne Railway Station Project?

The Golborne railway station development represents the first addition of a new train station in Greater Manchester in over 25 years, according to reporting by the Manchester Evening News. The new facility will be situated on the West Coast Main Line, close to the location of the town’s former railway station, which closed in February 1961 as part of the pre-Beeching rail closures.

As reported by journalists at Wigan Today, the station will serve an hourly service between Wigan and Stalybridge, routing through Manchester Victoria, and is expected to reduce journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes. The development also aims to improve connectivity with the wider Bee Network by linking passengers to bus, tram, and active travel routes.

Who is Behind the Golborne Station Development?

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), working alongside the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Wigan Council, is leading the project, which is being financed through locally devolved government funding. The initiative follows decades of campaigning by local residents, councillors, and politicians to restore rail services to the town.

Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy has been appointed as the main contractor to construct the new station, with train services anticipated to commence by Spring 2028. Jamie Rothwell, Transportation Managing Director at Murphy, stated:

“Golborne has been our North West home for many years, so we’re delighted and honoured to be awarded the Golborne Station project and support TfGM’s ambitions to improve transport infrastructure for the local community”.

What Facilities Will the New Golborne Station Include?

The station design incorporates step-free access throughout the facility, including a new footbridge spanning the tracks and lifts serving both platforms. Additional amenities will include digital customer information screens, seating areas, waiting shelters, passenger assistance intercoms, ticket vending machines, CCTV surveillance, and enhanced lighting to improve passenger safety.

According to coverage by the Manchester Evening News, the adjacent town centre car park will also undergo improvements, including resurfacing, upgraded lighting, and additional CCTV installation. Better walking, wheeling, and cycling routes with improved crossings will be introduced to facilitate easier and safer movement between the town centre, the station, and the car park.

What Have Local Leaders Said About the Golborne Station?

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig visited the construction site to mark the commencement of work. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Craig said: “Residents in Golborne have long requested enhanced transport options. We have listened to their needs and are constructing a brand-new train station that will re-establish the community’s access to the rail network after more than 60 years”.

Craig added: “This is a significant milestone for Greater Manchester as well – our first new railway station in over 25 years – and I am eager to board the inaugural trains that will stop here. It’s fantastic to see the work commencing on-site”. She further stated: “We are collaborating with the rail sector to create better connections between rail services, buses, and trams. I have committed to expanding the Bee Network, and this project is another crucial step towards improving connectivity within our communities”.

Councillor Nazia Rehman, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “I’m incredibly proud to see work beginning on Golborne’s new train station, which marks a major milestone for the community and a significant investment in the town’s future”. Rehman continued:

“Linking the town to the railway for the first time in more than 60 years, this project will greatly improve connectivity, open up new opportunities for residents and businesses, and support economic growth across the area”.

Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, stated:

“Back in 2019, I kick-started a petition calling for the reopening of Golborne railway station, building on years of dedicated campaigning by local residents, councillors and former Greater Manchester Mayor, now Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. It is now incredibly encouraging to see this long-held ambition finally beginning to take shape”.

Platt added:

“The reopening of the station will be a significant boost for the town, strengthening connectivity for local residents, improving access to employment and education, and helping to unlock new opportunities for economic growth and inward investment”.

How Does This Fit Into the Wider Bee Network Expansion?

The Golborne station development forms part of the ongoing expansion of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s integrated transport system. As noted by Wigan Today, the project coincides with the recent introduction of the new 612 bus service, which provides a half-hourly connection between Wigan and St Helens, passing through Abram, Golborne, and Newton-le-Willows.

According to Place North West, the project cost has been reported at £36 million, an increase of £4 million from earlier estimates following the finalisation of detailed design and the full business case. The station is on track to open in Spring 2028, with enabling works having commenced in summer 2026.

Background of the Golborne Railway Station Development

Calls for Golborne to be reconnected to the railway network date back many decades and have formed part of local politicians’ campaigns for much of that time, according to Wigan Today. The town’s original railway station closed in February 1961 as part of the pre-Beeching rail closures, leaving the community without direct rail access for more than 60 years.

The BBC reported in May 2025 that plans for the station had received approval after the government endorsed a business case submitted by TfGM, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and Wigan Council. At that time, the project was estimated at £32 million, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and first trains anticipated in 2027. However, subsequent reporting by Place North West in August 2026 indicated the cost had risen to £36 million, with the opening date adjusted to Spring 2028.

The proposal gained momentum following sustained campaigning by local residents, councillors, and politicians, including former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is now Prime Minister. Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, launched a petition in 2019 calling for the station’s reopening, building on years of grassroots advocacy.

Prediction: How Will the Golborne Station Affect Local Residents and Businesses?

The opening of Golborne railway station in Spring 2028 is expected to have significant implications for local residents, businesses, and the wider economy of the town and surrounding areas. With journey times into Manchester city centre reduced by up to 30 minutes, commuters will gain faster and more reliable access to employment opportunities across Greater Manchester.

Improved connectivity is likely to increase property demand in Golborne, particularly among workers seeking affordable housing with good transport links to Manchester and other major employment centres along the Wigan-to-Stalybridge route. The station’s step-free access and integration with the Bee Network’s bus and tram services will also enhance mobility for elderly residents, people with disabilities, and those without private vehicles.

For local businesses, the station could attract increased footfall and investment, particularly if the improved transport links make Golborne a more attractive location for retail, hospitality, and service sector enterprises. The construction phase itself, led by local firm Murphy, is already providing employment opportunities and injecting capital into the local economy.

However, the development may also bring challenges, including potential increases in housing costs and pressure on local infrastructure as the town becomes more accessible. The project team has committed to working closely with residents, businesses, and stakeholders throughout construction to minimise disruption and keep the community informed.

Long-term, the station could serve as a catalyst for broader regeneration in Golborne, supporting economic growth, reducing road congestion, and lowering carbon emissions by shifting travel from private cars to public transport. As noted by local leaders, the project represents a significant investment in the town’s future and could unlock new opportunities for generations to come.