£17m flood defence project launched on Dutch River near Goole
It's hoped thousands of homes and businesses will benefit
A £17 million flood defence project has officially begun on the Dutch River near Goole.
It's aiming to protect around 10,000 properties and deliver nearly £190 million in economic benefits.
The works, which launched during the Environment Agency’s Flood Action Week (13th–19th October 2025), will strengthen approximately 10km of existing flood defences along the northern bank of the Dutch River -also known as the River Don.
The upgrade is designed to prevent potential breaches and maintain protection standards for years to come.
Construction began in early October and is expected to take two years to complete. The project will be delivered by the Environment Agency with £3.1 million in funding from the Goole Town Deal Board.
The additional funding means the scheme has been brought forward earlier than initially planned.
The investment includes £8.2 million in construction costs and will also feature the development of a 5km ‘greenway corridor’ between Goole and Rawcliffe Bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
Dean Hamblin, Flood and Coastal Risk Management Senior Advisor at the Environment Agency, said:
“This is a significant investment in the future resilience of Goole and its neighbouring villages. By strengthening the Dutch River defences, we are helping to protect thousands of homes and businesses, while also unlocking wider economic benefits for the region.
“It’s a vital step in ensuring communities are better protected against flooding now and in the future.”
Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, added:
“It’s exciting to see work on this project, one of eight that has been allocated a share of Goole’s Town Deal funding, getting underway.
The Goole Town Deal funding allocated to this project will be spent at the Goole end of the Greenway Corridor, and 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.”