Public square part of plans to revamp town centre

The council wants to encourage more people into Longton

A pedestrianised public square is to be created in part of a city under plans to revamp the area.

Proposals set out by Stoke-on-Trent City Council involve a major revamp of Times Square in Longton, with the creation of a "public realm plaza" in front of Longton Town Hall with space for a public artwork.

Road changes would see alterations to the layout of the junction where King Street, Market Street and The Strand come together.

Other parts of the revamp would include the introduction of red routes to cut congestion, a reversal of the one-way system on Transport Lane, removal of traffic islands in Times Square and new paving railings and lighting.

Red routes, with double red lines marked on roads, mean stopping to park, load/unload or to board and alight from a vehicle (except for a licensed taxi or if you hold a Blue Badge) is prohibited, according to the Highway Code.

Council leaders said the plans would improve links between the town centre, retail park, bus station and railway station, reduce traffic problems and make Longton a more attractive place to visit.

The scheme is part of a wider £6.5m public realm programme that will be financed with levelling up money, the Transforming Cities Fund and cash from the bus service improvement plan, all from the government.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker said: "We want to encourage more people into Longton, support existing businesses and provide a more attractive environment for residents, workers, shoppers and visitors."

Trader Andrea Hawkins criticised part of the plans

Andrea Hawkins, who runs a book stall on the market, welcomed the red routes, but said changes to Transport Lane would "make things harder" for traders.

She also questioned plans for the front of the town hall, adding: "Nobody is going to want to sit there and have their lunch, looking out on to the Crown Hotel...it just seems like a waste of money."

A consultation on the changes runs until Wednesday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.