Wedgwood statue returns to rail station frontage

The statue was returned on the back of a lorry on Monday morning

A bronze statue of Josiah Wedgwood has been moved to a new position outside Stoke-on-Trent rail station.

Its new site was intended to create a focal point for people leaving the station, according to planners.

The statue of the famous potter was built in 1862 and previously stood between the station and the North Stafford hotel.

A scheme to improve the station approach was nearing completion, and was due to finish on 11 August, Stoke-on Trent City Council said.

Work to enhance the area around the railway station began in August 2023.

Moving the Wedgwood statue was quite an undertaking but had been carefully planned with heritage experts, the council said when the work began last year.

"The bronze statue is a symbol of civic pride and its more prominent position will allow people to better appreciate one of the city's greats and the unique heritage of the city as a global centre of ceramics production," the authority said.

Moving the statue was "quite an undertaking", the council said, but it had been carefully planned with a heritage expert

The council's cabinet member for transport, regeneration and infrastructure, Finlay Gordon McCusker, said the scheme would provide a safe and attractive link between the railway station and city centre.

"As we enter the final phase of this transformational project I would like to thank residents for their ongoing patience throughout the works," he said.

"I am hopeful that residents, visitors and commuters will feel the benefit of these improvements as they travel around the city during our centenary year and beyond."

Prior to the reopening, Station Road will be closed in both directions until 22:00 BST on 10 August.

The full road closure was to enable block paving to be laid, as well as the completion of a bus gate at Winton Square.

Residents will still be able to use car park 3, at the rear of the station, for drop off and pick up.

The taxi rank will remain accessible and the Keele and Newcastle-under-Lyme bus stop will be temporarily relocated to Stoke Road.