The transformation of Station Road, Stoke, into an accessible transport hub could be a step closer with plans being considered by the council on 20 December.

If plans are approved, work will begin in the new year.

The redevelopment of Station Road is the next stage of the £29m Transforming Cities Fund programme to create a safe and attractive travel route connecting Stoke-on-Trent rail station to Hanley city centre and Hanley Bus Station.

Work has already started on sections of the adjoining College Road involving widening of footways, the introduction of new cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings and carriageway reconstruction to address pot holes and maintenance issues. 

It has been proposed that the Wedgwood statue will be moved to a more prominent location (Nub News).

On Station Road, including Winton Square, the work is set to provide an attractive new public realm to enhance the stunning Grade ll* Listed buildings, including Stoke-on-Trent rail station buildings surrounding the square, and provide a sense of arrival.

To make best use of this space, it has been proposed that the Josiah Wedgwood Statue, located on the opposite side of the road to the station entrance, will be moved to a more prominent location, just outside of the station entrance. 

Subject to planning approval, Station Road will benefit from priority access for buses with a bus gate at Winton Square, helping to reduce traffic flow. The 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 include new bus stops and shelters in Station Road showing real-time passenger information and improved parking in Car Parks 1,2 and 3 at the front and rear of the station, including disabled parking, with drop-off and pick-up facilities for station users. Wider footways and pedestrian crossings at key locations will allow easy access to the station. 

Commuters are advised to check the council's website for updates whilst works take place (Nub News).

A new car park is being built next to the existing Car Park 3 at the rear of the station – replacing the 166 spaces from Car Park 1 – and is due to be completed in the new year ahead of the works. 

Laura Harper, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Stoke-on-Trent, said: "The station's main entrance will be open to use as normal during the works and members of the public can still pick up or drop off anyone at Winton Square during the first two phases of the works until October 2024.

"We strongly advise if you're travelling to or from Stoke during this period, you check the local authority website for the latest updates and allow extra time for your journey to the station."

Between January 2024 and October 2024, there'll be one-way traffic on Station Road from its junction with College Road to its junction with Leek Road in that direction. Access to the station entrance and to businesses will be maintained throughout the works. Appropriate signage will be in place to direct road users during the works.

READ MORE: Stoke-on-Trent MP welcomes approval of new secondary school 

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.