An artist’s impression of how the Estcourt Terrace area will look.

With the eight strategic projects that make up the Goole Town Deal programme now at the delivery stage, we find out more about the Public Realm project:

What is the Public Realm project?

This project will refresh and enhance the way that the town centre looks and feels, with high quality lighting, soft landscaping and seating, whilst also promoting walking and cycling. It also aims to provide better connectivity between key buildings and different areas within the town centre, linking the area around Goole Station, the pedestrianised precinct on Boothferry Road and Paradise Place with the Market Hall, Museum and Library, and with the new-look Leisure Centre on North Street. This project is also closely linked to the Station Hub project, which aims to support Goole’s growth and an anticipated increase in the number of visitors to the town centre by creating an enhanced transport hub and arrival/departure experience at Goole Station. 

How much money has been allocated to the Public Realm project?

£3.1 million of Goole Town Deal funding has been allocated, along with some additional funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.  A further £2.450 million is allocated for the Station Hub project, which also includes the Goole + Howden Hopper bus service. Together, these projects will have a transformative effect on the visual appearance of the streets in the town centre with the aim of attracting further investment to the high street.

Why did the Goole Town Deal Board choose to allocate funding towards this project?

As well as making the town centre a more attractive place to live, work and visit, the Board wanted to boost footfall and encourage people to spend more time there, which will benefit town centre businesses. They also wanted to make it safer and easier for people to get where they need to be by providing better links between different areas of the town centre and with employment zones. The Board also identified a a need to create more continuity in the type of materials used, and in the seating, lighting and planting, to give the town centre a more cohesive look and feel.

What has happened so far?

Members of the public were given an early opportunity to see the initial proposals for the town centre at an exhibition hosted by the Goole Town Deal Board and its partners in November 2023. Feedback from local people and businesses has been used to help shape the final design proposals, which were recently approved by the Goole Town Deal Board, allowing the project to progress to the technical delivery stage.

What changes can we expect to see?

The project involves the installation of some smart new paved areas to offer a better experience for pedestrians and enhance the appearance of the key routes between Goole Station, Paradise Place and Estcourt Street, as well as complimenting the Market Hall and refreshed Market Yard, and the area beyond the Clock Tower roundabout, providing an element of continuity all the way up to North Street. This will tie in with the work being done around Goole Station and in the subway as part of the Station Hub project, which will be part-funded by Goole Town Deal with the remainder of the investment being made by the station operator. 

Ornate cut metalwork screens will help frame seating areas and provide shelter from the prevailing wind along the pedestrian precinct. The existing beds surrounding the trees along the precinct on Boothferry Road will be redeveloped, becoming raised beds featuring low maintenance, sustainable planting. The trees will be retained and uplighting will be used to make them more of a feature. There will also be additional seating, fun elements designed to appeal to children and feature lighting around Goole Station. There will be space along Boothferry Road, Paradise Place and outside the Market Hall for pop-up stalls, outdoor performances and events. Meaningful art installations also form part of the design; it’s anticipated that they will reflect Goole’s rich history and culture, and be commissioned using the talents and skills of local creative people.

When will this work start and how long will it take?

Preliminary work is due to start on site in January 2025 and the project will be completed early in 2026. Work will be carried out in phases in different areas of the town centre. Local business operators will be informed in advance when the team will be working in their area, but every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

How does this work tie in with the Station Hub project?

Working with Network Rail and Northern, which operates Goole Staton, the Goole Town Deal Board will use some of the funding it has secured from the Government to carry out physical improvements to Goole Station and the surrounding area. This will include improving the appearance of the pedestrian subway by upgrading the footway, improving lighting, and working with Network Rail to tackle issues with flooding and the damp walls. These changes will help to make the subways safer and more accessible for everyone. From there, the paving, crossing points and other aspects of what’s known as the ‘public realm’ will have a more cohesive look and feel all the way up to North Street.

Will any areas of the town centre be pedestrianised as part of the plans?

No, the feedback received as part of the consultation process was that members of the public were not keen to see any additional areas of the town centre pedestrianised. The Goole Town Deal Board took note of this and used this feedback to shape the final set of plans, which aim to make the town centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists without adding any new pedestrianised areas. 

Are there any opportunities for local people get involved in the project?

Yes, some aspects may require planning consent and so there will be a further opportunity to offer feedback as part of the statutory consultation process. Also, an artistic working group will be set up to involve local people in the creation of murals and the design of the ornate metalwork that features in the plans for the town centre. If anyone would like to register their interest to be involved, please contact us.