Transforming Travel in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire: Major Transport Upgrades Announced
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire councils reveal a bold new transport strategy, including improved bus services, rail station upgrades, and safer roads.
Stoke-on-Trent is about to approve an ambitious new transport vision designed to improve connectivity across the city and the wider Staffordshire region. The Joint Strategic Transport Statement, developed collaboratively by senior leaders at Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council, outlines a series of shared priorities to modernise and enhance transport infrastructure.
A Comprehensive Transport Strategy
The statement lays out key priorities that will drive future transport development, including:
Enhancing Public Transport: A focus on increasing rail capacity, expanding bus services, and introducing integrated ticketing systems.
Supporting Zero-Emission Infrastructure: Measures to decarbonise bus and taxi fleets while increasing access to residential electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Improving Road Networks: Maintenance and enhancement of key road corridors, improved road safety through better design and enforcement, and optimised traffic management.
Encouraging Active Travel: Expanding cycle networks, improving pedestrian routes, and ensuring new housing developments support walking, wheeling, and cycling.
Investing in Digital Modernisation: Implementing smart traffic management systems and real-time travel information services.
Key Transport Projects
Significant developments planned as part of the vision include:
A Bus Rapid Transit network across North Staffordshire.
Multi-modal upgrades to the A52 and A53.
A package of rail station improvements, including upgrades to Stoke-on-Trent station and potential new stations at Meir and Etruria.
New mobility hubs for areas without fixed bus services.
A connected and segregated cycle network, making use of existing canal paths.
An upgrade to Junction 15 of the M6.
A bus-only link road at Newport Lane, designed to support economic growth in Etruria Valley.
The statement also calls for "substantial" improvements to the West Coast Main Line following the cancellation of HS2’s second phase. This would include additional services stopping at key stations in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, enhancing regional and national connectivity.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Transport improvements are not just about better mobility but also about economic growth and sustainability. The statement highlights that 40% of carbon emissions from travel in Staffordshire come from trips under 10 miles. By enhancing public transport options, the plan aims to reduce reliance on cars, lower emissions, and create a cleaner environment.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet member for transport, infrastructure, and regeneration, emphasised the importance of collaboration:
“We’re already getting on with the job of improving transport in Stoke-on-Trent. Our Bus Service Improvement Plan has reduced fares and introduced new routes and technology to prioritise buses at key junctions - and our Transforming Cities Fund project is delivering major upgrades at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station, which will make a real difference to passengers.
“But we can’t afford build walls at our borders. The challenges we face - whether it’s fixing our roads, improving rail links or making public transport a better option for more people - don’t stop at the city limits. If we want real progress, we need to work closely with our neighbours and push together for the investment we need.
“That’s what this Joint Strategic Transport Statement is about. Devolution is a chance to take control of our own future, but it only works if we work together - and we will work together to get things done.
“By strengthening our partnerships with Staffordshire County Council, transport operators and government, we can deliver a transport system that actually works for people - one that’s reliable, sustainable, and fit for the future. And when we do that, we don’t just improve transport, we unlock new jobs, attract investment and help Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire grow.”
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, Mark Deaville, echoed this sentiment:
“Through close collaboration and by pooling our resources and knowledge, we can work effectively with central government and other key organisations, attracting the investment needed to improve transport corridors and both local and regional services.
“We’re committed to creating an efficient and sustainable transport system for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. This will increase opportunities for our communities, boost economic growth and support carbon reduction, whilst optimising our central location and existing connectivity.”
Next Steps
The Joint Strategic Transport Statement will be discussed at the Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 25 February. If approved, it will mark a significant step toward transforming the region’s transport landscape and ensuring a more connected, sustainable future for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.