Council leaders have agreed to spend nearly £2 million on transforming a town centre.

The works in Longton will include the creation of a new pedestrianised public square in front of the town hall and other changes to the road network.

New paving, railings and lighting will be installed in Baths Passage and Strand Passage as part of the improvements.

At their meeting on Tuesday cabinet members agreed to allocate £1.985 million towards the works, which they say will improve pedestrian links, reduce traffic problems and make Longton a more attractive place to visit and do business.

The money will come from three different government funding pots – the Levelling Up Fund, the Bus Service Improvement Plan and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). TCF money was originally due to be spent on a raft of improvements to Longton Station, including the installation of lifts.

How Times Square in Longton looks currently. (LDRS)

But the council shelved the station plans after the projected cost ballooned from £1.2 million to £6.5 million. The new plans for Longton were subject to a public consultation during the summer.

Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, and ward councillor for Longton and Meir Hay South, told the cabinet that there had been a positive response to the proposed works.

He said: "We had more than 300 responses to the consultation. This is a really exciting time for Longton. I think the public have really bought into what we're trying to do in the town centre.

"Thanks to the the hard work of the people of Longton, at the Exchange and everywhere else, we're bucking the trend. We've got more shops opening now, footfall is up, and this will help take us forward that little bit further."

Cllr Lynn Watkins added: "It'll be great once we've got the Crown Works entry to Longton sorted out. It really makes you feel sad when you see all vegetation and where the fires have been.

"But I have been shopping in Longton a few times and there is a real buzz about the place. It's great to see some regeneration in a town that I think has been a little bit left behind."

The council plans to rationalise the 'convoluted' road layout in Times Square and create a 'public realm plaza' in front of the town hall, with space for a new public artwork. Other changes will include the reversal of the one-way system on Transport Lane and the introduction of red routes to tackle congestion.

According to the report to cabinet, the scheme will aim to encourage more people into Longton town centre, support existing businesses and improve civic pride.

The council says that it is still its 'aspiration' to provide lifts at Longton Station, and alternative funding streams are being explored, including Stoke-on-Trent's local transport grant.