 The line from Windsor Bridge Junction (Salford) and Crow Nest Junction (Hindley), which shortened the route between Manchester and Liverpool, was authorised in 1883, and in 1885 a connection was authorised from the new line at Brindle Heath to the Bolton line at Agecroft.The new lines opened in stages to goods traffic during 1887–88, and to passengers on 1 June 1889; on that day the station initially named "Pendleton Broad Street" was also opened.It had four platforms, as it served both the Bolton line (via the Brindle Heath Junction–Agecroft Junction connection) and the new Wigan line.