Preliminary works on the Golborne train station project are due to begin on August 1 and 8, marking the first step towards reconnecting the town and surrounding area to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years.
Project details and timeline
The early part of the project will include surveys and ground investigations. Golborne, which is five miles from the centre of Wigan and six miles from Warrington, currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said 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.
Funding and design
TfGM has also appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the final station designs. On top of station plans, TfGM said it was looking at ways to improve the town and areas around the station. The station and local improvements scheme is being paid for by locally devolved government funding with a cost estimate of around £32m.
The station will 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. Once operating, TfGM anticipates an hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, subject to government approval.
Political reaction and community benefits
Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt said she was glad to see the project ‘moving forward’. She said: “I know many people have been keen to see progress on this project, so it’s encouraging to see work getting underway. I’m looking forward to seeing it continue to take shape and bringing better transport links back to our community.”
The two-platform station will have an entrance from the west side, near Railway Road, as well as eastern access to Golborne town centre from Lowton across the footbridge. An improved and updated town centre car park next to the station is also part of the scheme. The car park would be fully resurfaced and have upgraded lighting and CCTV, disabled bays, EV charging, a taxi drop-off area and cycle parking.
