Major plans to revamp Stoke Station will go ahead – after concerns over moving the Josiah Wedgwood statue were eased.

Planning committee members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council approved the £9 million plans to transform Station Road, including proposals to move the Grade II-listed Wedgwood statue across the road to a position in front of the station entrance.

The council's Stoke Station scheme is aimed at cutting the congestion seen outside the station and creating a more welcoming and efficient 'transport interchange'.

A bus gate will stop most through-traffic on Station Road, with the scheme also involving new parking, bus stops and a realignment of the road.

The committee deferred making a decision on the scheme in December, to allow time for the option of retaining the statue in its current position to be assessed.

Some committee members expressed concerns that the statue would lose its impact in its new position.

As part of the plans, the historic Josiah Wedgwood statue will be moved to the other side of the road (Nub News).

But on Wednesday the committee voted eight to three in favour of approving the application, after consultants from WSP, acting on behalf of the council, set out the pros and cons of moving the statue, or keeping it in place, in more detail.

They suggested that the statue would be more of a 'focal point' in its proposed location on the edge of a widened pavement area in front of the station, 5.7 metres from the building.

Committee vice-chair Andy Platt said computer generated images showing the statue in its new position had helped reassure him about the move.

He said: "I was genuinely uncertain as to how to vote on this today, and last time I did question the applicant on why they wanted to move the statue. I was intially sceptical, but I now think the new position actually enhances the square. To come out the station and see the statue in its new position is actually an improvement.

"I know these images are always produced in a way to enhance the application, but I can see this working.

"There's a lot more to this than just moving the statue. This is about the whole scheme. To improve the environment in front of station, I think is really important, and to take away some of the quite dangerous parking and put them in a dedicated spot, is helpful. All these things are important."

Councillor Dave Evans added: "I think it's a matter of perspective, and from my own, I think there are merits in both options. You can't argue with its current placing, there's a reason why it was put there, but similarly, I don't think it's a terrible distance to look at it in the new position. It's much of a muchness. It's important to protect heritage, and I think today the committee has done its best to do that."

But Councillor Ross Irving remained opposed to the statue move, saying that the aesthetics of Winton Square would be put 'out of balance'.

A bus gate will also stop most traffic on Station Road (Nub News).

He said: "I'm still not convinced that the general appearance of Winton Square will be enhanced by moving the statue to within five metres of the station. I think when that square was designed, a lot of thought would have gone into the aesthetics and where the statue should be."

The city council secured funding for the Station Road scheme as part of a £29 million award from the government's Transforming Cities fund.

The bus gate will bar all vehicles apart from buses, emergency services, taxis and Royal Mail vehicles from Winton Square, which council leaders say will reduce congestion, allow for quicker bus journeys to Hanley, and create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Short stay parking outside Federation House and parking bays outside Winton Square will be replaced with spaces in car park one, next to the Royal Mail sorting office.

The plans also include new bus stops and shelters in Station Road, complete with displays showing real-time passenger information.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, welcomed the committee's decision.

He said: "Now that plans have been approved, work will soon be able to get underway to transform this critical travel route for the city, linking the rail station to the city centre, after much planning and consultation.

"A nicer environment and highway improvements will provide safer travel options and make a big difference to residents, commuters, students and visitors. We hope to encourage walking and cycling by providing dedicated spaces as well as more sustainable travel by rail and bus.

"We appreciate there'll be some disruption and thank people for their patience while this transformation takes shape."

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