Follow us
Public Realm is a £3.1 million project that will refresh the way the town centre looks and feels with new hard and soft landscaping and seating, as well as making signage and the type of materials used more consistent. It also aims to provide public spaces to be enjoyed; promote walking and cycling; and improve connectivity between key buildings and locations.
Public Realm is closely linked to the £2.4 million Station Hub project, which aims to support Goole’s growth and an anticipated increase in the number of station users by enhancing the arrival/departure experience and providing a more appealing environment at the town’s railway station. The hugely popular Goole + Howden Hopper bus service, which launched last year, also forms part of the wider Station Hub project.
Work began in the autumn of 2025 and the first phase has focused on the main pedestrianised precinct; Estcourt Terrace and North Street. In the pedestrianised precinct, new paving is being installed; existing paving is being repaired and restored; existing trees will be surrounded by attractive new planting areas and seating; new feature lighting will be added; and new artwork will be installed to celebrate Goole’s heritage and mark its Bicentenary year in 2026. The scheme has been designed to support business operators, both now and in the future, and also reflects the way that many towns across the UK are reinventing their role and purpose, with an emphasis on services, hospitality and experiences. Close attention has been paid to reinstating seating areas in the town centre to create public spaces that people want to enjoy and spend time in.
The work on Estcourt Terrace will enhance the look and feel of the area around the town’s Market Hall and also focus on the busy highway crossing point towards Carlisle Street. As confirmed by the Goole Town Deal Board previously, this part of the project will not involve a pedestrianisation scheme but has been designed in a way that aims to improve connectivity around the town for pedestrians by emphasising that the crossing point is used by both vehicles and pedestrians. On North Street, the work will improve, repair and restore the pavements and highway, and enhance the appearance of the Aire Street junction.
A second phase of work due to get under way in 2026 will focus on Paradise Place and the area around Goole’s railway station. This will include the installation of new paving and street furniture to complement the activities of Junction Goole, following design consultation with Goole Town Council. It also aims to support and stimulate business activity in this area of the town, both now and in the future. Work around Goole Station will involve enhancements to its appearance, which have been designed to improve the experience of station users and connectivity with the pedestrianised area of Boothferry Road. Following the completion of the infrastructure work that Network Rail is currently carrying out on both subways, the Goole Town Deal-funded Public Realm Project will improve the appearance of the subway closest to the railway station by adding new surfaces and lighting. There will also be new safety measures to deter people from cycling through the subway, and make stepping down from the access steps leading to and from the station platform safer.
During the Summer of 2025, a series of face-to-face consultation meetings were held with businesses based in areas of the town centre where the first phase of work will take place. Those responsible for delivering the project are keen to minimise disruption to the town’s business operators, so wanted to understand their day-to-day operational needs. A drop-in consultation event held at Goole Library gave both businesses and residents in the phase one area an opportunity to view the technical plans, and discuss the finer details of work taking place outside their properties and the impact of any temporary road closures. However, full access will be retained for businesses for the entire duration of the project.
Further consultation events for businesses and residents in the area where the second phase of work will take place. Invitations will be hand delivered to them.
Breheny Civil Engineering Ltd has been appointed as the main contractor for the Public Realm project by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. As part of its work on the scheme, Breheny has provided a Public Liaison Officer, who is working closely with the local business community for the lifespan of the project to keep people informed of progress and help to resolve any issues that arise.
