TIF 'Yes' would signal new station

3:12pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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A NEW rail service with a station at Golborne is on the cards, if Greater Manchester’s Transport Innovation Fund gets the thumbs-up.

The proposals include funding for a new rail station and funding to support the operation of rail services between Wigan and Manchester via Golborne.

A partnership would be developed which would see the operational costs of the services funded through TIF between 2013 and the summer of 2016, and costs from June 2017 onwards funded by the DfT, subject to basic investment criteria being met.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and Wigan Council, said: "We agreed the funding for a new station at the time we finalised the TIF package for the forthcoming referendum.

“This latest development around the operation of the new rail services is a further significant step forward which gives us all confidence that this important element of our infrastructure will be in place by 2013.

“We must remember however, that none of these vital improvements will be possible if the TIF package doesn’t go ahead. It’s all or nothing."

Up to £14 million would be invested from re-allocated Local Transport Plan (LTP) funds, if TIF gets a ‘Yes’ vote in December’s referendum. This is just one example of rail improvements in the area.

Other proposed changes to rail include new and improved services including extra carriages on peak-time commuter trains and station refurbishments at Wigan Wallgate, Atherton, Hindley, Ince, Pemberton, Bryn, Gathurst and Appley Bridge stations as well as more park and ride spaces at Atherton.

Leigh, said to be the largest town in England without a railway station, is set for significant investment in public transport with the TIF package including a new express bus route running from Leigh through Salford to Manchester operating on a separate track to general traffic ensuring much quicker progress.

TIF would deliver more seats on trains running through Atherton and increased capacity on trains travelling through Bolton. There would also be a multi-million pound refurbishment of railway stations including improvements at Hindley.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham, welcomed the announcement: “This is the news we have been waiting for.

“I have campaigned in support of a new railway station in Golborne since my election in 2001 and I want to thank all those who signed petitions and put pen to paper in support of a rail station for Golborne.

“The fact a clear way forward to include this in the TIF proposals has now been agreed is fantastic - all we need now is a yes vote to seal the deal.

"The importance of high quality rail services between Leigh and Manchester cannot be overstated and it will be even more important should the TIF package go ahead.

“It is very good news for the Leigh area and will help give people choice and easier access to jobs.”

The decision to reopen Golborne station is the culmination of a 26 year campaign championed by amongst others local-born Brian Simpson MEP and Makerfield MP Ian McCartney.

Mr McCartney said: “We (Andy Burnham & IMc) have worked hard to ensure that today’s announcement includes real, positive benefits for local people. In meetings with ministers we have adopted a tough stance and secured a good package of investment in public transport across the borough as part of the TIF package. “The economic success of the Wigan and Leigh area has contributed towards significant growth in the Greater Manchester area and the North West as a whole. Today’s announcement will ensure that Golborne does not become a victim of this success and that the benefits of the new station will be felt right across the borough and further afield.”