Multi-million-pound plans have been drawn up to build a transport interchange outside Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station in a bid to improve traffic flow and boost the area for public transport and pedestrians.
The scheme would mean the introduction of a bus gate on Station Road, banning the majority of private through traffic. And it requires the short-distance relocation of the historic Josiah Wedgwood statue, which currently stands in front of the North Stafford Hotel on Winton Square.
A planning statement produced to support the application from Stoke-on-Trent City Council says that the proposed transport interchange would feature highway and urban realm improvements, including a chicane highway alignment along Station Road. It would also see the installation of two new bus shelters, replacement of surface materials and the installation of new street furniture.
Plans would also include the reorganisation of Car Park One, on Station Road, to provide short-term parking and drop-off facilities. With long-stay rail users directed to use nearby Car Park Two or Car Park Three.
The bus gate would limit the type of traffic able to use the road as a thoroughfare between Leek Road and Stoke Road. However, private motorists would still be able to gain access to buildings such as North Stafford Hotel, above, and Federation House.
The bus gate would be in close proximity to a similar scheme which opened on College Road, next to Staffordshire University’s Cadman Building, earlier in the Spring – and reported on in Daily Focus.
The Grade II Listed statue of Wedgwood would need to be relocated to allow the improvement work to take place. The proposal is to move it to the opposite side of Station Road.
Funding for the project is being made available through the government’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme, which awarded Stoke-on-Trent £29 million. Through this, the Council is aiming to create a properly connected sustainable transport network linking Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station with The University Quarter, The City Centre, and The Goods Yard development.
The statement concludes that: “The benefits of the proposed developments are comprehensive from transport, environmental, economic and social perspective.”
It says benefits include delivering an improvement to the transport interchange function for rail and bus passengers outside the railway station as well as encouraging people to switch to more sustainable modes of transport.
It will also improve economic growth and employment opportunities and enable the cultural and heritage values of Winton Square to be better appreciated, the statement adds.
