Work could start on Meir's new station by end of year - MP

Jack Brereton and rail minister Huw Merriman visited the site of the new station in August

Work on a new railway station in Stoke-on-Trent could start by the end of year, a city MP said.

Quite a "rapid process" by Network Rail was under way to build the Meir station, Jack Brereton, Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said.

He campaigned for it after its predecessor shut in the 60s.

The station was mentioned among spending pledges by the prime minster when he announced the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2.

Rishi Sunak said billions of pounds would be spent on other transport projects across the country, which included upgrading the M6 and reopening the closed Stoke-on-Trent to Leek railway line.

Rail minister Huw Merriman visited Meir in August to see the site where station was planned.

Speaking at the time, he said: "Meir Station has a very, very good case. There's a lack of social mobility around the area and there's a lot of government funding that's going into Stoke-on-Trent.

The old station was closed during the Beeching cuts of the 60s but Mr Brereton said Network Rail was focussing on the new one.

'Quite a rapid process'

"Behind the scenes, Network Rail have been doing quite a lot of work to advance it further," he said.

"My understanding is that they could be on-site by the end of 2023 to actually build the station, so it is quite a rapid process now."

He echoed the rail minister's comments and added local transport needed to be improved to help people get around.

"When we had the minister visit, he said we had a very strong case. I think it's quite clear there are issues with transport in the Meir area," he said.

The new station will be accessed either by a footbridge from George Avenue or from Uttoxeter Road, which runs alongside the A50.

It was not expected to have a ticket office when it opens.