Today, 2nd October 2026, marks an exciting milestone for Golborne as work officially gets underway on the construction of a brand-new railway station, bringing rail connectivity back to the local area for the first time in decades. Golborne has been without its own railway station since the 1960s, when the original station was closed and subsequently demolished as part of the widespread railway cuts of the era, commonly associated with the Beeching programme. Now, more than half a century later, the community is set to regain a direct connection to the rail network, providing residents with a new and convenient way to travel further afield.

The new Golborne station is set to be a modern facility designed around the needs of today’s passengers, with features including lifts providing step-free access, dedicated cycle storage and other contemporary passenger facilities. The return of a railway station represents a significant change for the area and, once completed, should make rail travel considerably more accessible for local residents while supporting the wider development of Golborne and the surrounding communities. It is fantastic to see construction finally getting underway, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on the progress as this exciting new station takes shape.

The new Golborne station is currently expected to open sometime in late 2028, although construction has got underway later than originally planned, with work initially expected to begin on the site in August 2026. Despite the delay, it is exciting to finally see the project moving forward, and the completed station is expected to provide passengers with a range of modern facilities, much like those seen at Scotland’s newest station, Balgray, including lifts, step-free access and cycle storage. However, from the plans and images I’ve seen so far, Golborne appears likely to be a relatively simple and functional station compared with some of the more substantial new stations opened in recent years, such as Headbolt Lane and the newer stations around Birmingham. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some of these larger developments, its most important feature will ultimately be the return of a railway station to Golborne and the restoration of a rail connection that the local community has been without for more than half a century.

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.

Many of the newer railway stations being built across the UK are increasingly following what could be described as a “cookie-cutter” approach to station design, with similar layouts, facilities and architectural features being used across different locations. One of the most noticeable changes is the reduced reliance on traditional station buildings and ticket offices, with many new stations instead providing ticket machines, digital information screens, lifts and other modern facilities. The emphasis appears to be on creating stations that are accessible, practical and relatively straightforward to build and maintain, while still providing passengers with the facilities they need for their journeys.

This approach has become particularly noticeable with stations that have opened or entered development throughout the 2020s. Many are unstaffed, or have limited staffing, with passengers increasingly expected to purchase tickets from machines or through online and mobile ticketing systems. While there are certainly advantages to this style of station, particularly when it comes to accessibility, consistency and keeping facilities modern, I do sometimes feel that it can take away some of the individual character found at older railway stations. Instead of every new station having its own distinctive identity, there is a tendency for them to look and feel quite similar, almost as though the same basic design has simply been adapted for a different location.

Overall, I think the return of a railway station to Golborne is an exciting development for the local area, particularly as it will restore a direct rail connection that has been missing for more than half a century. The new station will become another stop on the route between Wigan, Bolton and Stalybridge, helping to improve connectivity for passengers travelling across the wider region. As I understand it, the proposed service pattern is expected to see trains operate through Golborne towards Southport, with services currently planned to run via Wigan Wallgate, where the existing Southport–Wigan service operates around every 30 minutes. It will be interesting to see how the final timetable develops as construction progresses, but for me, the most important thing is seeing Golborne once again connected to the railway network. After such a long absence, the arrival of a modern station in 2028 could mark a significant new chapter for rail travel in the town and surrounding communities.