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’
Murphy has been appointed by National Gas to deliver a critical infrastructure project at the St Fergus Gas Terminal on the North-East coast of Scotland. The project, known as the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) Compressor Project, is vital for ensuring compliance with emissions regulations. The St Fergus Gas Terminal is fundamentally important to Great Britain’s energy system. Located on the North-East coast of Scotland, it provides access to gas from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) and Norway, which it feeds into the gas National Transmission System (NTS). St Fergus regularly supplies between 25% and 50% of the country’s natural gas. The main terminal also receives treated gas from three sub-terminals, currently owned by Shell, Ancala and North Sea Midstream Partners (NSMP). Murphy has a longstanding collaborative partnership with National Gas at St Fergus, successfully delivering a diverse range of complex engineering and construction projects. These include asset health interventions, actuator replacements, aftercooler upgrades, and cathodic protection enhancements. This recent award encompasses the design, construction, and commissioning of three low-emission compressor units. The project includes all associated civil, electrical, control and instrumentation, process, mechanical, and piping work, along with OEM rotating equipment. Together with our engineering partner, Worley, and leveraging the expertise of our internal specialist business units, this award highlights Murphy’s strength in the direct delivery of complex EPC energy projects. Andy Harding, Operations Director at Murphy, said: “As one of National Gas’s priority investment sites to achieve MCPD emissions targets by 2030, we are proud to lead the delivery of this essential project at St Fergus. With a proven track record in delivering compressor projects safely and successfully, Murphy, supported by our trusted engineering partner Worley, will provide resource certainty, safety excellence, and on-time delivery. Our in-house team will bring unparalleled compressor expertise, enabling us to deliver this critical infrastructure project and meet all stakeholder requirements while maintaining a strong focus on cost efficiency.” Darren Christie, Project Director at National Gas, said: We are delighted to partner with Murphy and their wider supply chain on this critical part of our compressor replacement programme, with this work contributing to our business’s wider 2030 emissions reduction commitments. Our St Fergus terminal is a critical entry point on the National Transmission System (NTS) and by utilising our project partners’ skills and expertise we can hope to see successful delivery of this investment. This will ultimately improve the compressor resilience at the site, providing greater energy security and helping reduce compressor emissions as part of the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.” HIGHLIGHTS The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) Compressor Project project is vital for ensuring compliance with emissions regulations St Fergus regularly supplies between 25% and 50% of the country’s natural gas Murphy has a longstanding collaborative partnership with National Gas at St Fergus
Murphy was proud to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for Eastern Green Link 1 last week Eastern Green Link 1, a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), will transport green electricity for two million homes along over 190km of predominantly undersea cable linking the south-east of Scotland with the north-east of England. Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy said; “I’m delighted that Murphy will play a key role in delivering the new electric superhighway, Eastern Green Link 1. We will be responsible for the 400kV substation works package for National Grid Electricity Transmission, working collaboratively with the wider project to expand the electricity network. This project is crucial for meeting Britain’s future energy infrastructure needs and strengthening energy security”. You can read more about the project on Scottish Power’s website by clicking here. HIGHLIGHTS Eastern Green Link 1 will transport green electricity for two million homes A joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) Murphy is responsible for the 400kV substation works package
Murphy featured in a very special episode of Dermot Bannon’s Room To Improve on RTE One TV last Sunday night. Over a half a million viewers tuned in live to watch the programme, which saw Murphy teams pitching in on the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Tranquillity House charity project in Dublin. When it opens this spring, Tranquillity House will provide a home away from home for people with CF and their loved ones, who often have to travel long distances to hospital in Dublin for treatment. Murphy was the first company on-site during the first weeks of January 2024 to erect site hoarding and commence demolishing works within the existing basement of Tranquillity House. Murphy teams then returned throughout the year to complete comprehensive structural works to the existing load-bearing walls, installation of new subfloor service, new extension foundations, installation of new basement concrete sub-floor, ducting, groundworks, electrical support, and general site labour. If you missed it, you can still catch the episode on the RTE Player here: Room To Improve – RTÉ Player For more on the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation see: Julian Benson CF Foundation
A joint venture consisting of leading engineering contractors, Kenaidan and Murphy, has been awarded the construction manager contract to help inform the detailed design, and provide construction management advice, for upgrades to Oakville GO station during the project development stage. Oakville GO station provides critical transport infrastructure and requires improvements and modernisation to support an increased number of passengers and enhance operational performance of the network. The project will include station building upgrades, upgraded platform works, accessibility improvements and parking lot improvements. Rob Gray, President of Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture (KMJV), said; “We are delighted to be delivering design advice to Metrolinx to upgrade the second busiest station on the network outside of Union Station. During the development stage, KMJV will work closely with Metrolinx on potential solutions to design challenges. This reduces the risk of potential delays and will help get the project built faster. It also allows for greater innovation, efficiency, and quality management throughout the design process. KMJV formed in order to unite Kenaidan’s Ontario experience with Murphy’s transit expertise, and we are looking forward to deploying this collaborative approach alongside our customer Metrolinx to provide transit passengers with the best end result.” For more information on our joint venture with Kenaidan, please click here: https://kenaidanmurphy.com/ HIGHLIGHTS Oakville GO station provides critical transport infrastructure The project will include station building upgrades, upgraded platform works, accessibility improvements and parking lot improvements
National Grid has energised a new substation in Barking, East London, to help power homes, businesses and rail services – including those forming part of the Barking Riverside regeneration of an area formerly occupied by a coal power station. National Grid worked with its principal contractor Murphy to build the substation and transfer existing circuits and connections to the new facility, ensuring no interruption to supplies. The new 132kV indoor substation connects the local grid operator UK Power Networks (UKPN) to National Grid’s high voltage transmission network, delivering electricity for distribution to 20,000 homes in the area. Local low carbon transport services are also supported by National Grid’s new substation, with power delivered to a nearby Network Rail feeder station to support electrified train routes. The substation replaces a previous 132kV facility that was built on an adjacent site in the 1950s to deliver electricity to the London grid area from the former Barking C power station. Built post-war, the original substation was designed to look inconspicuous to enemy aircraft. The new facility replaces and reinforces the old infrastructure, and features 17 bays – the equipment which enables a connection to the grid – with room for future upgrades. It sits alongside National Grid’s bigger 275kV/400kV substation to boost the resilience of electricity supply in East London as energy demands grow. In August National Grid energised the first circuit on its London Power Tunnels 2 project, on which Murphy has also been heavily involved as part of the award-winning Hochtief-Murphy Joint Venture HMJV, to help connect millions of homes to clean power. Liam Corr, managing director for Energy at Murphy, said: “Our company purpose is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure and this project is a great example of that – we are proud to have played our part in future proofing energy supplies for the local community. Laura Mulcahy, project director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Our new Barking substation is a crucial upgrade to the electricity network in East London, and will help future proof it as electricity demand in the capital grows. “Barking has played a crucial role powering London since its first power stations were built in the early twentieth century, and with these latest network upgrades our infrastructure in the area will continue to support the energy transition for decades to come. “It’s been an exciting project to be a part of, and the team and I are delighted the new Barking substation is fully energised and connected to our network.” Andrew White, programme manager, capital programme, UK Power Networks, said: “We’re delighted to work with National Grid on this major infrastructure project serving 20,000 locals in Barking and East London. This investment will benefit residential and industrial supplies and comes as part of our commitment to reinforcing reliable energy for many years ahead.” HIGHLIGHTS National Grid’s new 132kV Barking substation is switched on in East London Substation will help UK Power Networks to distribute electricity to 20,000 homes, and Network Rail to power its electrified lines in the area New facility supports the ongoing Barking Riverside redevelopment
Murphy is proud to be the largest direct employer of emerging talent in the construction industry. As a business we are committed to providing opportunities to people of all ages and at all stages of their career and we have a variety of entry points to suit all backgrounds. Whether people are looking to start their career in construction, or upskill in their current role, we believe we can offer world-class opportunities unlike anyone else in our sector. We are thrilled, therefore, to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious Platinum accredited membership as part of The 5% Club’s esteemed 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme. This accolade highlights our unwavering commitment to empowering our employees through earn and learn programmes such as Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes and Placements. If you, or someone you know, is looking to take advantage of one of our emerging talent programmes, please head to our Early Careers web page or email emergingtalent@murphygroup.co.uk.
