Flythrough video brings news Wigan railway station to life as plans progress
A flythrough video of the new £32m rail station set to be built in Wigan has been revealed.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham gave local residents a first look of the film during a community drop-in meeting – showing what Golborne station will look like in more detail and how it will be built in phases.
Delivery of the station – set to start construction in 2026 – will mark a significant step forward in reconnecting the town to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years.
April this year. TfGM then appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the station designs, building on the feedback from the community and local engagement.
The final step will be for a full business case which will be submitted to the Department for Transport in early 2026, with construction work expected to start in the summer, subject to approval.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is the next major milestone for Golborne train station, with the latest designs showcasing the transformation that’s on the way, with a station right at the heart of this community.
“Golborne will play a vital role in our ambitious plans to make travel across Greater Manchester easier, greener, simpler and more connected.
“This forms part of our plans to expand the Bee Network, with 64 stations joining by 2028 and a further 32 by 2030 – a major step towards delivering a fully integrated transport system for our city-region. I’m pleased that, after decades of being cut off from our train network, Golborne will be at the heart of the change.”
Golborne currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester.
An hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria will cut journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes.
The new, accessible two-platform station will feature improved car parking and better walking and cycling links to the town centre.
It will also enable seamless connections between local bus and rail services, supporting Greater Manchester’s vision for a fully integrated Bee Network by 2030.
Leader of Wigan Council, Coun David Molyneux said: “The new station is a really important development for Golborne, connecting it to the rail network for the first time in decades, and we’ve been working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure it really delivers for the local community.
“It’s really exciting to get a glimpse of what’s to come and we’re looking forward to seeing the development start to come to life.”
The station, which will be the first built in Greater Manchester in more than 20 years, will be the first delivered though locally devolved government funding.
Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, said: “I’m excited to see Golborne Station moving forward at pace, as part of a £32m investment to reconnect the town to the rail network - for the first time in over 60 years.
“The station will transform local connectivity, cut journey times to Manchester by up to 30 minutes and support sustainable travel. It’s been a long time in the making and a huge credit goes out to local councillors and residents who have been pushing this forward to get us to where we are now.”