New Greater Manchester train station takes step forward as business case submitted to UK government

Plans to build a new train station in Gorton have taken a step forward. This comes as a business case for the station has been submitted to the UK government. 

Submission of this is a key step on the road to the station becoming reality. It means that approval of the £31.8 million earmarked for the project is that bit closer. 

The project, named ‘Golborne: Transformation Through Transport’ went to public consultation, with over 3,000 responses to plans. The aim is to use this feedback, that from the government and planning considerations to submit a final business case in summer 2025. 

At present, Gorton does not have any direct train, bus, or tram services to Manchester. It is estimated that services from its own train station would reduce journeys to Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes. 

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The proposed station would be on the West Coast Main Line, five miles south of Wigan North Western station and one mile north of Golborne Junction. This is near the site of the previous Golborne Station.

James Grundy, MP for Leigh, said: “I am giving my strongest possible backing for our bid for the new station at Golborne. Local residents have been running a campaign to restore rail passenger services to Golborne for 63 years and as someone who knows local people very well, I know exactly how strongly the community of Golborne feels about getting their station back. 

 “I have been constantly championing this issue since becoming the local MP in 2019 and I will be fighting as hard as I can to get final approval for this bid from the government. It’s been great to work with Mayor Andy Burnham on this project that we both believe in so strongly.”

Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux MBE, said: “This is an exciting step forward for Golborne station, submitting the business case to government after overwhelming support for the station in the consultation earlier this year.

“We fully support the reopening of the station and it’s really important that we can develop the best scheme possible with better transport links and improved walking and cycling infrastructure, as part of the wider Bee Network.”