Plans for new Greater Manchester station approved 64 years after town lost rail connection

Plans for a new station at Golborne have been approved more than 60 years after the Greater Manchester town’s last station closed.

Wigan Council gave the green light for a new £32 million two-platform station on April 30.

Transport for Greater Manchester will now work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Wigan Council to develop a full business case and detailed design.

Work is expected to start next year with the aim of trains serving Golborne as part of an hourly Wigan-Manchester Victoria service by the end of 2027.

Consultation in early 2024 found that 84% of 2,898 responses strongly supported the station, with Golborne currently hving no direct bus, train or tram service into Manchester.

Planning documents said: “Multiple responses noted that the Proposed Development would help to regenerate Golborne, bringing economic benefit to the area as well as encouraging alternative travel modes to private vehicle use. There was agreement that the proposals for active travel would provide new links and improve access to Golborne Station.

“The greatest concern raised was regarding the possible increase of congestion and levels of traffic within the local area.”

Golborne will be located on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) five miles south of Wigan North Western station and one mile north of Golborne Junction - and a few yards south of the original Golborne South station that closed to passengers in 1961 and of which only the goods shed survives.

In their report, the council officer said the station would be located on “predominately previously developed land and utilises land which is currently safeguarded to support necessary rail infrastructure”.

The new station will feature an accessible footbridge crossing all four lines, linking the station entrance and car park to the west of the WCML and the two slow lines on the opposite side of the fast lines. A total of 122 car parking spaces are proposed along with 20 cycle spaces.

Overhead line equipment will be revised to accommodate the new structures while the fast lines will be realigned, and a new signal will be installed just north of a nearby road overbridge.

The application also said the metal footbridge is to be painted in a way that reflects the area’s coal mining past.

A planning statement in the application said the local planning authority suggested using traditional red brick cladding for the lift shaft to “provide some visual interest” and “reflect the character of the surrounding buildings, including the goods shed, and the heritage value that these buildings bring to the area”.

The site also lies within the town’s conservation area. Work must ensure it does not harm the character of the area.

Four nearby roads will be improved and have traffic calming measures installed, while the project will also create new facilities for two nearby schools, including forest school provision.

The council report said there was “no unacceptable harm to the loss of playing fields provision to both nearby local schools” with replacements planned, and that conditions will ensure they are in place prior to the station being used.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, described the planning approval as a "significant moment", adding: "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."

Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE said: "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.”

Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy has been appointed to lead the detailed design phase.