Through traffic will be banned at the entrance to the Stoke's main railway station if plans to create a new "transport interchange" are given the green light.

A new bus gate is planned for Station Road – close to another one that came into force in College Road last month – as part of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's proposals.

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.

Now a planning application has come forward, which proposes highway and public realm improvements, a bus gate and reorganisation of a car park to provide short term parking and drop off facilites at Station Road. New bus shelters are planned and the Josiah Wedgwood outside the main station entrance is set to be relocated to the opposite side of the road.

The Josiah Wedgwood statue opposide Stoke train station would be moved to the other side of the road (Nub News).

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: "The railway station is located at the centre of transport network within Stoke-on-Trent and connects the city to its suburbs and the wider region and nation. Development around the railway station would improve connectivity with education, employment and leisure opportunities for local residents, students and visitors.

"The Winton Square improvements would create a pedestrian focused environment within the immediate vicinity of the station buildings that would enhance the experience of people using the existing station buildings and the proposed hubs. In addition, the proposed works will enhance the setting of the adjacent heritage assets.

"The proposed works for the highway realignment would involve the realignment of the highway along the length of Station Road from the junction with Leek Road to the junction with College Road to remove through traffic, introduction of a bus gate at Winton Square, and the reduction of road width along the rest of Station Road. The proposed bus gate on Station Road will prevent its use as a through route between Leek Road and Stoke Road, and the proposed amendments to Car Park One to a drop-off and pick-up facility will mean that long-stay rail users would instead drive to Car Park Two or Car Park Three to park."

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