Plans to deliver a new £32m train station in Golborne have reached a milestone moment. Wigan Council has given the green light to the planning application for the station and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have appointed a local company to design it. Greater Manchester has ambitious plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028. The new station – which will reconnect Golborne to the railway for the first time in more than 60 years – is part of the city-region’s wider plans to improve connectivity for communities as part of the first fully-integrated transport system outside London. Planning approval follows hot on the heels of the government giving the go ahead to the station’s outline business case in January, which set out the transformational benefits it will bring to the area as part of the Bee Network. It means TfGM, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Wigan Council, working with Government, will now develop a full business case and detailed design in 2025. To deliver this work, TfGM has appointed Golborne-based engineering firm Murphy to develop the final station designs. Subject to approval from government, work is expected to begin in 2026 with the first trains hoped to stop there in 2027. Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This is a significant moment for Greater Manchester, with the approval of the planning application for Golborne station bringing us closer to reconnecting Golborne to the railway network for the first time in more than 60 years. “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. “We are committed to moving forward at pace with this project and bringing rail into the Bee Network – making it easier to get around the city-region. To have such a respected partner like Murphy on board to take the station through detailed design is a fantastic result, and we can then move swiftly through to construction. With roots in the community, they understand how better connections will open up access to skilled jobs and opportunities across the city-region while making Golborne an even greater place to live and work.” Golborne currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester, so train services would reduce journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes. A public consultation in 2024 showed high levels of support for the station proposals, and a planning application was submitted to Wigan Council in November. The station includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station including step-free access throughout, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and new walking and cycling links to the town centre. Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “The Council has worked closely with Transport for Greater Manchester, ensuring the new station will deliver the best for the local community and wider area, and connect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in decades. “Community wealth building, keeping the local pound in our borough, and supporting our local supply chain is a real priority for us and I am delighted that a local, Golborne-based company has been appointed to deliver the next phase of this exciting project. “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.” Murphy will now take forward the proposals to deliver detailed designs, which will support the station’s final business case. Chris Cayton, Transportation Managing Director at Murphy, said: “With offices in Stonecross and Golborne, we were particularly delighted to be appointed the first phase of this project alongside our valued supply chain including design partner WSP, to greatly improve transport links in the local area for the benefit of the surrounding communities. As a company, Murphy is focused on improving life by delivering world-class infrastructure and this project will do just that.” As well as the station, partners are looking at ways to improve the town and areas around the station through the Golborne town centre Masterplan. This would make them even better places to live and visit with improved cycling and walking links and opportunities for further investment in Golborne. The station would be delivered though locally devolved government funding. Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, said: “The community in Golborne have been waiting a long time for this. After years of campaigning and planning, it’s fantastic to see Golborne station reach this next milestone. “This important transport infrastructure will bring better connectivity, help to reduce congestion and support local economic growth. Connectivity and growth across all of Leigh and Atherton is extremely important to me and I am excited to see the benefits this will bring to the town.” Find out more information about the station proposals at: A new rail station for Golborne | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM HIGHLIGHTS Wigan Council has approved the planning application for a new £32m railway station in Golborne, paving the way for TfGM to work up detailed designs Another milestone reached in plans to connect the Greater Manchester community to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years Murphy appointed to develop the design for the station, with first trains hoped to stop there in 2027
KMJV alongside lead design partner, Arup, has been awarded the development phase of the $1bn+ Bloor Yonge Capacity Improvements Project The win will see the Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture (KMJV), in collaboration with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), deliver the development services phase of a major transformation of the Bloor-Yonge Subway Station which is in the heart of the commercial district in Downtown Toronto. As one of the busiest transit hubs in the Greater Toronto Area, the station is expected to experience a surge in passenger traffic in the coming years. This project is poised to play a crucial role in ensuring that the station can accommodate Toronto’s ongoing growth, urban development and expanded rail network. The progressive contract will see KMJV enter a two-year development phase, during which the team will work collaboratively with the TTC to develop a design, schedule, methodology and target price proposal for the construction of the project. Acceptance of this will lead to the delivery of the $1bn+ project which comprises of: A new Line 2 passenger platform for eastbound service Expanding Line 1 northbound and southbound passenger platforms New accessible entrance south side of Bloor Street East Mechanical and Electrical work including a multi-level electrical building and subway ventilation fans with associated housing; a combination of new provisions and refurbishment of existing facilities Utilities relocation, highway and public realm works Robert Gray, KMJV President, said; “We are incredibly proud to have been selected by the TTC to deliver this landmark project. The scope, logistical challenges, operational requirements and large number of stakeholders will allow us to showcase KMJV’s capabilities, leveraging Kenaidan’s local knowledge and relationships with Murphy’s international major project experience. We look forward to redeveloping this critical transport hub for the benefit of all passengers in the coming years.” Greg Percy, TTC CEO, said; “The TTC looks forward to working with KMJV to further the design of this incredibly important project. Expanding and improving Bloor-Yonge station is critical to ensuring that transit in Toronto can continue to serve the needs to the population for years to come.” Omid Nakhaei, Principal at Arup, said: “This project will significantly expand the capacity of one of the busiest transit hubs in Toronto improving the experience of many commuters and visitors alike. Bloor Yonge station is located directly below our Arup office in Toronto, making this project especially meaningful for our team.” HIGHLIGHTS Two-year development phase KMJV will develop a design, schedule, methodology and target price proposal for the construction of the project
The new framework covers a major programme of construction works across Peel Ports’ UK and Ireland sites. The multi-lot framework will run for a period of up to eight years, with Murphy having been appointed to ‘Lot 1 General Construction’, the scope of which includes drainage; the construction and maintenance of new and existing roads and carparks; earthworks and ground remediation; foundations and piling; the construction, maintenance and refurbishment of new and existing warehouses; paving, surfacing and concrete works; rail construction; bridge construction and refurbishment; and demolition. Chris Cayton, Transportation Managing Director at Murphy, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to this framework – whilst this is our first project win with customer Peel Ports Group, our teams have expertise in this area, with similar works currently underway at Dublin Port. “We look forward to working with Peel Ports Group to deliver world-class infrastructure whilst supporting their commitment to community engagement and ambition of becoming a net-zero port operator by 2040. Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director – Port Services at Peel Ports Group said: “Our rigorous procurement process has allowed us to select the very best regional and national partners, who will support the ongoing development of our network of logistics hubs.” “We look forward to working closely with them on the design and build of various exciting projects in the months and years ahead, all of which are the result of substantial investment in the future of our operations.” HIGHLIGHTS New £750m framework covers a major programme of construction works across Peel Ports’ UK and Ireland sites Murphy has been appointed to ‘Lot 1 General Construction’
