Longton improvement plans given big thumbs up as hundreds take part in survey

Hundreds of local people backed major plans to improve transport and public spaces in Longton during this summer’s consultation.

Residents had their say, through online surveys and in-person events, on the initiatives to improve pedestrian links between the town’s bus and train stations, the town centre and the Tesco retail park.

The scheme will also improve congestion and bus services in the town.

The substantial investment has been supported by funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, Bus Service Improvement Plan and Transforming Cities Fund schemes.

The proposals consulted on also include:

Better pedestrian links – wider pavements between the train station and Market Street; new crossings in the town centre; upgraded routes through Strand Passage and Baths Passage.

Improvement to public spaces – new paving, tree planting, and traffic layout improvements at Times Square; a new civic space in front of the town hall; new seating, railings and lighting in key routes.

Traffic management – improved traffic signals at Times Square; red routes to reduce congestion and improve circulation.

The most popular measure was upgrading the Times Square traffic signals, supported by around three-quarters of respondents. Two-thirds also backed better pedestrian links between Tesco Extra, the bus station and the town centre, and creating a red route into Times Square.

Feedback showed that reversing the flow of traffic on Transport Lane and implementing a one-way system was the least popular proposal, with only 46 per cent of people supporting it. Based on this, the council has decided to put this part of the proposals on hold, awaiting further consideration.

All the feedback survey results are now being used to draw up detailed plans with contractors on site and work set to start later this year. Transport-focussed projects will be delivered by Spring 2026 with others being completed later in the year.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the consultation. It's clear that most residents believe these proposals will make a real difference to Longton. This has been about listening to people and shaping the plans around their priorities.

“We can now get on and deliver the much-needed improvements that Longton and its people deserve.”

The work will be complemented by other schemes such as a mural which is set to be unveiled on Baths Road between Tesco Extra and Argos and is delivered through the Designing Out Crime initiative.

The Longton proposals form part of wider £6.5 million public realm plans, which also include improvements in Burslem and Stoke.