Plans to improve town's walking and cycle routes

A plan to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle, and improve public transport connections, is set to be signed off.

The Longton Improvement Scheme, in Stoke-on-Trent, would help increase footfall and encourage people to spend more time in the town, the city council said.

The proposed work is worth £1.9m and is being paid for with government funding.

Council bosses said it would also include improvements to bus services and help reduce congestion in the town centre. The wider project across the city has seen almost £35m spent on upgrading areas around Stoke and Longton railway stations as well as College Road.

The council's cabinet is set to agree the plans at a meeting on 16 September.

"This is all about giving people a reason to believe in their town again, to feel proud when they bring their family or friends to visit," said councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker.

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