A transport vision that will make Stoke-on-Trent a better connected city by linking the local economy, environment and health issues is being developed.

The ‘Transport Vision’ maps out future road, rail and bus connectivity in a way that will support the city’s continued growth.

It builds on multi-million pound investment by the city council through its capital programme that is already seeing £20.44m pumped into improving roads across the city over the next five years including £10.1m on repairs, £7.8m on energy efficient street lighting, and £3.3m on flood prevention works. The council has also set aside £8.3m for public transport and road safety improvements.

The vision includes:

  • Creating the UK’s first ‘smart’ trunk roads on the A500 and A50 to complement an upgraded ‘smart’ M6 between junctions 15 and 16, with greater capacity at junction 15.
  • Working with the government and rail providers to develop a fully connected HS2 station in the city – putting London under an hour away; direct rail connectivity to Manchester and Birmingham airports and redoubled tracks between Alsager and Crewe to increase connectivity between Stoke and Crewe.
  • Improved local rail services, with at least two trains per hour to all existing stations between Crewe and Stoke, and Stafford and Stoke.
  • Remodelling the Cobridge traffic lights road junction, with widening of both the A50 and A53 to increase capacity.
  • Continuing work on the £38m Etruria Valley link road which will open up new development land and provide additional direct connections into the city centre from the A500.
  • Continuing the £10.2m further upgrade of public areas in the city centre to improve paving and landscaping.
  • A £16m link road connecting the city centre to the expanding south east of the city.
  • A £4.5m programme to improve connectivity around Staffordshire University and Stoke-on-Trent Station.
  • Working with partners to operate newer, cleaner buses, with more electric hybrid vehicles.
  • Easier and quicker bus fares with contactless, mobile and web-based payment options.
  • Developing mobile bus timetable and service information.
  • Better integration of fares and services between bus and rail routes.

Work on the vision is being developed with a wide range of partners and funding bodies including the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Highways England, Midlands Connect and other transport providers.

The vision will be put before the council’s cabinet on 16 May for consideration.

Councillor Jack Brereton, cabinet member for regeneration, transport and heritage, said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming the development of this important document and proposing it to cabinet. The transport vision will build on our multi-million pound capital investment and create the clear direction for further investment to better connect our city.

“This is about ensuring we have the transport we need to support more jobs and increased homes in Stoke-on-Trent. The document sets clear goals to work with government and key partners in transport such as Network Rail and Highways England to improve our transport infrastructure.

“Traffic flow is a big issue and this document is about helping to address congestion and improve both our road and rail connectivity. Better connecting all of our communities, opening up new opportunities for people to access jobs and improve quality of life.

“We don’t have enough local rail connectivity so we need to improve services and connect more places to Stoke-on-Trent. But also it’s about our bus network and our sustainable transport – in line with the national cycling and walking investment strategy – looking at how we can ensure the city is much more effectively connected throughout the entire area so that we can prosper as a city in the future.”