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The first phase of work on the Dutch River flood defence and Greenway corridor scheme, one of eight strategic projects allocated a share of Goole’s Town Deal funding from the Government, is due to begin next month.
The project will see the existing 4.7-kilometre ‘greenway corridor’ between Goole and Rawcliffe Bridge enhanced, with the Goole Town Deal investment focusing on the Bridge Street end in Goole. The improved Greenway will run alongside and on top of the Dutch River flood defences. A section of the flood defences, from Goole to the River Went, is due to be reinforced and refurbished by the Environment Agency.
The Dutch Riverside.
Starting in May, the first phase of work will involve the installation of a continuous footpath and cycle lane markings along the full length of the Dutch Riverside. It’s expected to take around one month to complete.
In recent months, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency, Associated British Ports and the Canal & River Trust have been working together to develop detailed designs for the Greenway, including the area of green open space situated between the Dutch River and the Aire and Calder Canal, beyond Goole Marina and the Spicers Auctioneers & Valuers premises. A local consultation group, with representation from Goole Civic Society, Goole 2026 Bicentenary Community Group, Castaway Music Theatre, Yorkshire Waterways Heritage Society, Boothferry Family and Local History Group and Goole Museum, has been formed to give the local community an opportunity to help shape the plans. The proposed designs aim to celebrate the river with installations by local artists; provide amenities such as picnic areas, seating and shelter; give people better access to the water’s edge, including designated areas for fishing; and create habitat for wildlife and opportunities for families to enjoy natural play. They will be implemented as part of a second phase of work planned for after the flood defence improvements have been completed.
Dean Hamblin, Senior Advisor in Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said: “All of the detailed design work associated with the planned improvements to 8.5-kilometres of flood defence embankment that runs along the north bank of the Dutch River, from the River Went to Goole, has now been completed.
“Our Field Team cleared vegetation along the full length of the flood defence works in February to minimise the environmental impact and ensure that we’d be ready to start work in the summer. Initially, we’ll be focusing on either end of the defences at Goole and near the River Went, with work on the remaining stretches due to be completed in 2026.”
As Goole has a high level of flood risk, the Environment Agency was already intending to reinforce flood defences along the Dutch River, but a contribution from Goole Town Deal has made it possible for this work to go ahead sooner than planned, and for the Greenway to be incorporated into the plans. The entire project, including the flood defence refurbishment and improvements to what will be known as the Dutch River Greenway, will cost in excess of £10 million and Goole Town Deal is contributing £3.1 million towards it.
The Environment Agency cleared the area in February to minimise the environmental impact, in preparation for work to start in May, 2025.
Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “The Goole Town Deal funding allocated to this project will be spent at the Goole end of the Greenway. We see this project as a fantastic opportunity to improve connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as helping to give people better access to the town’s waterways, nature and green spaces.”