House of Commons · Westminster Hall
20 July 2021 · 3 other contributors · 9,091 words
Opened by Karen Bradley Con Staffordshire Moorlands
Responding minister: Maggie Throup
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Karen Bradley raised concerns about stoke-leek line: reopening in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The MP asks for support in reopening the Stoke-Leek line as a clean and green alternative to roads. She also requests funding and expertise from officials at the Department for Transport to explore possibilities for passenger services and freight on the line, potentially including light rail or heritage railway extensions.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The MP is concerned about the lack of public transport options in the Staffordshire Moorlands, which impacts tourism and daily commuting. She highlights that visitors and residents face significant challenges when trying to reach the area via road or train due to heavy traffic, limited bus services, and outdated infrastructure. The current situation is exacerbated during peak tourist seasons and ongoing roadworks.
Jack Brereton highlighted the urgent need to reopen the Stoke-Leek line due to road congestion and a lack of public transport options. He noted that 40% of households in some wards have no car access, limiting job opportunities. Bus services had declined by about a third over the past decade. Improved rail connections would significantly reduce journey times from 55 minutes to around 18 minutes between Fenton Manor and Leek, and potentially halve public transport journeys across his constituency. He emphasized the need to reopen the Stoke-Leek line for deprived communities in central Stoke-on-Trent, suggesting an interchange with existing bus routes and a new station at Bucknall Park. He noted the potential halving of travel time from Leek to Etruria, improved accessibility for educational institutions, and reduced urban splintering.
He highlighted the importance of reopening the Stoke-Leek line for connectivity, tourism opportunities, education access, and economic development in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Moorlands. He mentioned potential benefits like linking to Alton Towers theme park, unlocking brownfield land, supporting housing targets, improving public transport, and enhancing digital T-levels at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. I support the idea of a good bid for the Stoke-Leek line and ensuring economic viability in the long term. Competition is important, but it should not lead to community division.
There is strong local support for reopening the Stoke-Leek rail line, which could help reduce carbon emissions and provide economic benefits including new jobs and better access to labour markets. The government's decision not to fund it under the Restoring Your Railway fund is frustrating.
Government Response
Maggie ThroupThe Government's £500 million Restoring Your Railways programme aims to reconnect smaller communities and regenerate local economies. The ideas fund, part of the programme, provides up to £50,000 for early-stage proposals, with a successful bid from Staffordshire Moorlands to restore rail services between Stoke and Leek submitted in March 2021. The proposal details benefits such as education and employment opportunities and tourism revival. Assessments are ongoing with decisions expected over the summer.