Murphy has reached the topping-out milestone on its One Murphy Hub in Golborne, marking the halfway point of the scheme.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Wigan Council leader David Molyneux also attended the event on Wigan Road.

The hub is expected to open around this time next year, delivering a modern, purpose-built base to support Murphy's continued expansion.

As a direct-delivery organisation, Murphy is self-performing much of the project, with in-house teams across Transportation, Plant, Ground Engineering, Utility Connections, Applied Engineering, Steel Fabrication and Technical Services collaborating to deliver the scheme.

-- Advertisement --

Once complete, the site will include a 186,000 sq ft plant yard, a 23,500 sq ft workshop, a three-storey office for 400 people, 100m of rail testing track and a national rail training centre, alongside external gardens and parking. A further 12.6 acres of surrounding parkland will be opened for the local community.

John Murphy, CEO of Murphy, said: "We have had a presence in the northwest for over fifty years and the aim of this project is to ensure that our facilities continue to be fit for purpose for the next 50 years as we expand our business.

"We are committed to ensuring that the new Hub supports our company’s purpose of improving life by delivering world-class infrastructure – we always aim to leave a positive legacy in the communities in which we work and anticipate that the economic benefits of the new development will include a £450k annual local spend and the creation of over 215 new jobs."

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Projects like this show the best of Greater Manchester. By creating skilled jobs, these long-term investments create real opportunities for local people and strengthen the foundations of our community. It's great to see Murphy backing Wigan and helping to build the infrastructure that will drive our region forward for years to come."