Posted on Tuesday 11th February 2025
A joint vision for transport priorities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will support economic growth, support carbon reduction, improve connectivity and health and wellbeing.
The vision statement recognises the area’s prime position in the centre of the country including strategic national transport networks and the importance of connections with neighbouring authority areas.
With shared aspirations and challenges, a joint vision statement between Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will help to achieve the area’s long-term goals by attracting additional central government and private sector investment.
Together both county and city councils as strategic transport authorities have set out their main priorities which will support future devolution proposals.
These include:
• Supporting continued economic growth through sustainable jobs, goods and services for communities and access to customers and markets for businesses
• Removing carbon emissions from road traffic
• Creating safe and well-maintained roads and footways
• Increasing active travel and improving health
• Increasing digital connectivity and transport modernisation
The joint vision statement will support Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s ongoing work with central government, National Highways, rail operators, transport lobbying body Midlands Connect and other stakeholders.
Both councils are working to ensure a range of important transport projects are undertaken in the coming months and years.
These range from motorway upgrades at junction 15 of the M6 and the M54/M6 link to investment on the A50/A500 corridor. There’s also a focus on improved connectivity for everyone in county towns, including along major local roads such as the A34 and A511, and improving bus travel, EV infrastructure, bridges, active travel, road maintenance and traffic flow. And better public and sustainable transport to neighbouring authorities such as the West Midlands and key employment sites like i54 South Staffordshire is another priority.
In terms of rail travel, the councils will work with relevant authorities to press for improved capacity on the West Coast Mainline, increased services on the Birmingham to Derby line and improvements at Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Stafford rail stations.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said:
Together we’re committed to creating an efficient and sustainable transport system for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. This will increase opportunities for our communities, boost economic growth and support carbon reduction, whilst optimising our central location and existing connectivity.
We recognise that transport networks and operations ignore administrative borders, and that close collaboration is crucial to achieving our shared goals.
By pooling our resources, we can work effectively with central government and other key organisations, attracting the investment to help deliver on our vision and ultimately enhance the quality of life for residents and improve business operations.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for transport and regeneration Finlay Gordon McCusker said:
Our successes and challenges don’t stop at city lines or county borders.
In places like the North Staffordshire conurbation, the health of our transport networks is tied directly to the health of our economy, our communities, and the quality of life for the people who call this region home.
That’s why Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council must come together with a shared vision.
The Joint Strategic Transport Statement is an important step forward — it’s about making sure that every resident, every worker, and every family has a fair shot at success.
It’s about ensuring that our transport system isn’t just keeping up with today’s demands, but preparing for tomorrow’s possibilities. We achieve so much more when we work together, and that’s why I am so pleased that we are working with colleagues at Staffordshire County Council on our vision for better transport throughout the region."
The joint statement will be discussed at the county council’s cabinet meeting next Wednesday 19 February.