Over £1.5m of improvement works are set to begin on a major road between Stoke-on-Trent railway station and the city centre this week.
The improvements are being made to Boughey Road as part of the wider Transforming Cities Fund Programme (TCF), which sets out to transform connectivity across the city. At the heart of the scheme are improvements to public transport, cycling and walking in the city and creating a better connection between the railway station, city centre and key employment sites across the area.
The works will deliver an eye-catching revamp of the area, helping to form a more attractive and easier to use route for people to walk between both Staffordshire University Leek Road and College Road campuses. The road layout will be altered at Boughey Road to make it easier for pedestrians to navigate while the public realm will be improved to provide a gateway into the university. Paving will be upgraded to complement that already completed in and around Spencer and Thornton Roads while on-street parking will be retained for long-term residents living on Boughey Road and for customers of local businesses.
Taking approximately 26 weeks, the works are the latest in a series of public realm investments in and around the University Quarter and railway station. A number of complementary schemes have already been completed in the surrounding area including in Winton Square/Station Road, Glebe Street, Thornton Road/Spencer Road, funded by the city council, through the first tranche of the city’s TCF Programme and as part of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership’s City Centre Access Programme.
There are expected to be a number of benefits from the scheme. Improving the surrounding area in and around the university and railway station will improve the perception of the city for visitors to Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme will also make it easier for staff and students to move between the Leek Road and Boughey Road Campus.
It is also anticipated improving the look and feel of the university and gateway to the city centre will make it easier for the university to attract students and retain graduates.
In addition, the improvements are intended to directly encourage more walking and cycling linking the city centre and the railway station and building on schemes already delivered through previous phases of the TCF programme.
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, infrastructure and heritage, said: “This scheme is just one of a series of improvements planned as part of the Transforming Cities Fund which will prove a game changer for transport and connectivity in the city.
“This revamp clearing demonstrates that Stoke is on the up with a fresh and attractive upgrade to the area around the train station and the Staffordshire University campus. As we emerge from the pandemic, it helps to reflect that this is an exciting place to be. It will help the university attract new students and retain graduates and builds on the exciting sense of place that is to be found here. Ultimately it will also make it quicker and easier to get around Stoke-on-Trent, providing a real improvement to the everyday lives of residents, staff and students.
“It’s important to be clear from the offset that this level of investment will lead to some disruption in the city, but it will be short-term pain and the benefits will be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come as we transform our infrastructure and make Stoke-on-Trent a truly connected city. It’s important for the future prosperity of the city.”
While the work is carried out, traffic will be diverted, however, pedestrian access to businesses will continue and alternative routes will be put in place for delivery access.
Letters have been delivered to local residents and businesses explaining the works, associated timescales and any disruption that may be caused.
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