Stoke-on-Trent will get £29 million from the Government's Transforming Cities Fund to help improve train stations, new cycling and walking schemes and upgrades to the city’s central bus station.
Plans for the funding include a revamp of the area around Stoke-on-Trent train station, where a new transport hub is to be created that will offer better access to taxis, buses and cycling, while also improving walking routes to and from the station.
Further works are planned at Longton train station, with the installation of lifts, facilities to support cyclists and new passenger-waiting shelters.
The improvements will improve accessibility to the station, encouraging more people to make use of the station and its links into the city.
Bus passengers will also benefit from the funding, enjoying priority routes across the city for the first time as part of plans to cut congestion and bus journey times on the city’s roads.
Funding from the £29m pot is being used to upgrade the city centre bus station, to accommodate these new travel routes.
Stoke councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, infrastructure and heritage, said: “The investment is coming at a critical time as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic and power up Stoke-on-Trent for years to come, and it will give the city a real shot in the arm.
“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to make this bid a success and I’d like to thank everyone involved.
“However, the hard work really starts now as we aim to deliver the scheme in the timescales set by the Government.”
In a bid to cut emissions and improve air quality in the region, a portion of the fund is going towards ‘active travel’ schemes.
Walking and cycling routes will be implemented towards Etruria Valley and Trentham Lakes, and a new cycling and pedestrian link will be installed at Vernon Road – offering residents access to green travel options.
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