Highways officials will look at proposals to reopen an 'isolated' estate's access road – after hundreds of residents backed a campaign.

At the moment the only way vehicles can get in or out of Newstead is via Barlaston Road, which can mean a lengthy detour via Cockage or Wedgwood if that road is ever closed.

Sherborne Close provides a link to the neighbouring industrial estate and Trentham Road, but a barrier was placed across the street to prevent it being used as a 'rat run' around 25 years ago. A total of 721 people signed a petition calling for Sherborne Close to be reopened to traffic.

Ward councillor Dan Jellyman launched the petition after roadworks on Barlaston Road earlier this year caused traffic chaos for his residents.

Members of the housing, regeneration and operations scrutiny committee have now recommended that highways officials explore the possibility of installing a gate on Sherborne Close, which can be opened when Barlaston Road is closed.

Cllr Jellyman presented his petition to a meeting of the full council and welcomed the committee's recommendation.

He said: "Newstead is one of the most deprived estates in the city and it's quite isolated from the rest of Blurton, Trentham, Hanford and Longton. It's almost an island by itself with one road in, being Barlaston Road.

"And when that gets closed – and it gets closed frequently because of flooding, utility works and other unforeseen events – it means the residents have to face a 40-minute round trip via Stone or Cocknage to get into the city.

"Bus services stop, taxi companies refuse to pick up and people struggle to get to work, hospital appointments and much more.

"Residents requested that the council reopen Sherbourne Close, which has had a bollard for around 25 years. It connects the estate to Newstead industrial estate and would give them a route out if Barlaston Road is ever closed.

"I think the recommendation of the scrutiny committee that came forward, to put a gate there that can be unlocked if Barlaston Road is ever shut, will solve this problem.

"To have a petition with 721 signatures over one bollard shows the strength of feeling of residents in Newstead."

No final decision has been made on Sherborne Close, and Cllr Jellyman says the proposal will be subject to a formal consultation.