The main entrance to the Stoke-on-Trent station is currently temporarily closed for crucial roof repairs.

Network Rail is thanking passengers while the urgent work is completed.

During a routine inspection on Tuesday 2nd August, engineers noticed loose decorative stonework above the ticket hall and platform one.

The engineers had to act quickly to secure the stonework and within a few hours a crane was installed to allow for a team to work on removing the ‘finials’ on the building.

While strong winds made the removal difficult, the stonework has been successfully removed and sent for restoration, allowing for the entrance and platform to reopen.

Alistair Bush, Network Rail senior asset engineer, said: “When we discovered the loose finials we acted as fast as we could to start the necessary repairs. I appreciate this has caused disruption to passengers accessing the station and caused platform changes so I’d like to pay tribute to everyone for bearing with us. Stoke station is a beautiful example of railway architecture and we’re now working hard with heritage experts to make sure our repairs are done sensitively while at the same time keeping the station accessible for passengers.”

Laura Harper, Avanti West Coast station manager at Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carried out urgent repairs to stonework on the station’s roof. The stonework is a heritage feature of Stoke-on-Trent station, and we’ll continue to work with Network Rail as they restore it to ensure access to the station can be maintained.”