Plans to revamp the area outside Stoke-on-Trent's main railway station have been deferred by councillors concerned about the proposed relocation of an iconic statue.

The Josiah Wedgwood statue, one of the first sights of the city for visitors arriving by train, is set to be moved closer to the station as part of the plans to create a new "transport interchange" at Station Road.

The city was awarded £29m from the Government's Transforming Cities Fund in 2020 towards its plans for improving transport links. Around £9m was earmarked for the revamp of the area outside Stoke Station.

Most through traffic would be barred outside the station through the introduction of a bus gate. But certain vehicles would be exempt from the restrictions, such as Royal Mail vans and delivery vehicles accessing the Subway branch opposite the station, members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's planning committee heard on Wednesday (December 20).

The Josiah Wedgwood statue is set to be moved closer to the station as part of the plans (Nub News).

A report to the committee said: "This application seeks to contribute to the enhancement and improvement of the transport network within Stoke-on-Trent through the widening of the public realm area outside of the station, along with the installation of new street furniture which aims to enhance the sense of arrival to Stoke-on-Trent, the introduction of a bus gate to reduce traffic in the area to create a more pedestrian and cycle-friendly environment in a busy area for students, workers and rail travellers, the widening of footways along Station Road to improve pedestrian routes and the installation of new bus shelters. The proposed scheme includes provision of a bus gate and parking controls which will deny access to general through traffic on Station Road from Leek Road and Stoke Road and removes the on-street parking associated with the station that currently takes place.

"A revised layout of car park one has been developed following discussions between the applicant, Network Rail and Avanti. The alterations would involve the creation of a drop off and pick-up area for users of the station available to use by private hire, creation of five blue badge parking bays and ten short term parking bays, along with the resurfacing of the car park, to match the wider urban realm improvements."

Committee member Councillor Ross Irving raised concerns that exempt vehicles using the bus gate could cause confusion for other drivers however. And alongside fellow councillors he hit out at the planned relocation of the Josiah Wedgwood statue from Winton Square.

He said: "It's the finest example of an early Victorian railway station development in the country and I'm concerned about the impact on people arriving, When they walk out of the station they see Winton Square in all its glory, with Josiah Wedgwood at a distance so you can appreciate the entire statue.

The redevelopment of Station Road is the next stage of the £29m Transforming Cities Fund programme (Nub News).

"There is no doubt if you move it closer to the station it will lose the vista and impact the statue has in the square. I'm concerned we will lose a huge heritage asset that will be missed by visitors, that says it all about what Stoke-on-Trent is all about."

Committee vice-chair Andy Platt repeatedly questioned why the statue was set to be moved. The committee was told that its current location was "cluttered", it would be unable to remain in place due to the proposed realignment of the road between Leek Road and College Road, and that it was considered the new location closer to the station would make it more visible for visitors arriving in the city.

Councillor Platt said: "If you look at the bigger picture, I think this would be an improvement. But the thing I still can't reconcile myself to is the moving of the statue to the other side of the road.

"I think it changes the dynamic of the square. I believe the statue should stay in its current space or moved back a little, where it is closer to the centre of the square."

Councillor Platt proposed the application be deferred so the location of the statue could be reconsidered. Fellow committee members backed the proposal at Wednesday's meeting.

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