A community drop-in event organised by Network Rail and Northern will enable people to find out more about a major scheme to improve the subways in Goole town centre, which is the first phase of a wider programme of work to enhance Goole Station. 

Taking place next Wednesday, 22 January, from 3.30pm to 7pm at The Courtyard on Boothferry Road, the drop-in event is a chance for members of the public to view the station operators’ plans and ask questions about a £2.2 million investment by Network Rail in the subways’ drainage system. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Goole Town Deal team has been working with the station’s owners and operators to develop the Town Deal-funded Station Hub project. Following the completion of the drainage work, Town Deal funding will be invested in further improvements to the area around the station to deliver an even bigger and better outcome. To support Goole’s growth and an anticipated increase in the number of visitors to the town centre, the Goole Town Deal Board is working with Network Rail and Northern to create an enhanced transport hub and arrival/departure experience at the station. The aim is to make it a more welcoming and attractive gateway to Goole town centre, and ensure that it remains an important hub for pedestrian, cycle and public transport movements.

The Goole Town Deal Board has set aside £2.450 million of the funding it 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 subways by upgrading the footway and improving the lighting. As part of the first phase of work, Network Rail is investing a further £2.2 million to help address the long-standing problem of flooding in the subways on either side of Boothferry Road, next to Goole Station. This will involve removing the pump and drainage system at the level crossing and installing new equipment at both sides of Boothferry Road.

Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “The Board sees Goole Station as a central, focal point within the town centre. This project is a perfect example of working in partnership with Network Rail and Northern to maximise funds and improve the outcome. We aim to enhance this key asset because we believe that it can play an important role in improving local connectivity by encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport, as well as increasing footfall in the town centre. Alongside the other seven Goole Town Deal-funded projects, an enhanced Station Hub will play an important role in helping to make Goole a more attractive and welcoming place to live, work, invest and enjoy leisure time.”

To allow the first phase of work, which is being conducted by Network Rail, to go ahead, one subway will be closed at a time to minimise disruption and ensure that pedestrians can still access the station and nearby shops. Both station platforms will always remain open and accessible. Temporary road lane closures will be put in place on Boothferry Road. Work is due to begin in mid-February, with the partial closure of the station side subway (to the north side of Boothferry Road). It will mostly be carried out on week days between 7am and 5pm, but some Saturday night shifts may be required towards the end of the project. It’s anticipated that this initial phase of work will be completed by July to allow a package of wider improvements to be carried out to the station and the surrounding area using Goole Town Deal funding.

Everyone is welcome to go along to next week’s community drop-in event, which will be attended by representatives of Network Rail and Northern, which operates Goole Station.

The Station Hub project is closely linked to the £3.1 million Public Realm project, which aims to enhance the way the town centre looks and feels, with high quality lighting, soft landscaping and seating, and measures to even courage walking and cycling.

An artist’s impression of how Goole Station could look in the future.