A new rail station for Golborne

Improving connections to Greater Manchester's rail, bus, tram, cycling and walking networks

CGI of a modern railway station with two platforms, a connecting footbridge with lifts, and people waiting near shelters

Greater Manchester plans to build the first new rail station in the city region for more than 20 years at Golborne in Wigan.

The new station would sit on the West Coast Main Line and be a key part of the joined-up Bee Network – making it easier to get around by bus, tram, train, walking, wheeling and cycling.

Golborne currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester. The new direct rail link would cut journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes.

What happens next?

Work will start on site in mid-August 2026. A series of community drop-in events take place this summer where you can find out more and ask questions.

See event dates and locations.

A public consultation in 2024 showed strong support for the plans.

Planning permission has been approved by Wigan Council and TfGM has appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the final station designs.

Read the news release on the planning application.

Key dates for Golborne station

Public consultation: January to February 2024
Planning permission approved: April 2025
Construction starts: August 2026
Train services expected to start: Spring 2028

Information subject to approvals and programme updates.

Benefits for Golborne

TfGM is working with Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the station plans, paid for by locally devolved government funding.

As part of the plans, we will improve the surrounding area and the town centre, making them even better places to live, work and visit.

The project includes:

Better walking, wheeling and cycling links.
Improved access between Golborne station and the town centre.
An upgraded town centre car park.

Alongside the new station, these improvements will help more people access local services, support local businesses and enjoy everything Golborne has to offer.

The new station will also provide direct train services to Manchester city centre, improving access to jobs, education and leisure opportunities.

Plans for the new station and services

The new fully accessible station would be built on the West Coast Main Line, close to the site of the former Golborne station. The proposals include:

Hourly train services: Between Wigan and Stalybridge via Manchester Victoria.
Step-free access: Throughout the station, including lifts to both platforms and a footbridge across the tracks.
Passenger facilities: With digital customer information screens with live travel information, seating, waiting shelters and intercom passenger assistance points.
Ticketing: Ticket machines on both platforms, with tickets also available through rail operator websites and apps.
Safety and security: CCTV and lighting inside and outside the station to help keep passengers safe.
Access from both sides of the railway: Including an entrance on the west side near Railway Road, and access to Golborne town centre from Lowton via the railway bridge.
Walking, wheeling and cycling links: Including improved crossings and an easier, accessible route between the town centre, station and car park.
An improved town centre car park: A fully resurfaced car park next to the station with better lighting and upgraded CCTV, disabled parking bays, electric vehicle charging points, cycle parking and a taxi drop-off area.

Take a look at a CGI flythrough of the plans:

Changes during construction

Work will start on site in mid-August 2026, with early activity focusing on preparing the site and carrying out construction work in and around the future station.

Part of the Queen Street town centre car park will need to be used as a site compound.

Some parking spaces will be temporarily unavailable between August 2026 and March 2028 while work takes place.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We've worked closely with our contractor to keep as much of the car park available as possible while construction is ongoing.

Once work is complete, the car park will be upgraded and fully reopened for public use.

Please plan ahead and allow a little extra time for your journey. If you can, consider using public transport, walking or cycling.

Community drop-in events

We're holding community drop-in events where residents can find out more about the project and ask questions.

Drop-in events will take place at:

Golborne Parkside Sports & Community Club: Thursday 6 August 10.30am – 1.30pm
Golborne Library: Monday 10 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm, Monday 17 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Golborne Sports & Social Club: Monday 10 August, 4pm – 7pm
Lowton Social Club: Thursday 13 August, 4pm – 7pm

Public consultation

TfGM, Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held a six-week public consultation on the Golborne station plans in early 2024.

Nearly 3,000 people took part and more than 90% of respondents supported the plans.

You can read the public consultation report for a summary of the feedback received, the consultation process and the next steps for the project.

Frequently asked questions

The station would be built on the West Coast Main Line, five miles south of Wigan North Western station, near to the site of the previous Golborne Station.

There would be an entrance from the west side of the new station (near Railway Rd), as well as eastern access to Golborne town centre from Lowton (across the railway bridge).

Plans include an hourly rail service between Wigan and Stalybridge via Manchester Victoria. Service timings are yet to be agreed.

The station will be a key part of the Bee Network, providing a direct connection to Manchester City Centre, making it easier to connect rail journeys with bus, tram, walking, wheeling and cycling routes across Greater Manchester.

All local rail services are being integrated with the Bee Network in phases through to 2030, helping to create a more joined-up sustainable transport system.

Golborne station and local improvements are funded through locally devolved government funding.

Some funding for the project has been provided through the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which awarded Greater Manchester £1.07 billion to help deliver the Bee Network.

Funded by UK Government logo