HS2 station bid for Stoke-on-Trent

An official bid is expected for a planned high speed rail line (HS2) to stop at Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is expected to confirm by the end of July a "strong interest" in having a station in North Staffordshire.

The county council is opposed to the plans claiming there would be no economic benefit and it would "actually damage" the economy.

But the city council said a station in the city could aid regeneration.

The leader of the council, Mohammed Pervez, said: "I believe there is real potential for significant regeneration benefits if we are part of HS2.

"If we had an intermediate station it would open up national and international markets for businesses in our city.

"Shorter journey times to Heathrow would be a huge advantage, it would provide real sustainable economic growth for our region.

"In a time when demand on rail networks is steeply rising we need to ensure we are linked into projects like HS2."

He said the council was currently drafting a submission to support a bid for a station.

The city council cabinet is to meet on 30 June and is expected to confirm its interest in securing a station in North Staffordshire.

A public consultation for the route between London and Birmingham and then a second phase to Manchester is currently under way.

Phase one of the consultation will end in July and it is expected a decision will be made by the government by the end of the year as to the final route.