For a short time in 1961–62, special football excursions (the Stanley Matthews Express) were arranged to Stoke following the return of Stanley Matthews to Stoke City FC.

Leek had a substantial station and goods yard, but competition from road transport led to the withdrawal of services to Stoke-on-Trent in 1956 and the remaining passenger services to Uttoxeter in 1965.

Proposals to restore Leek to the national network gained traction in 2009 when Moorlands and City Railways Ltd (MCR) bought the 20 miles of railway line from Stoke in the west-direction of Leek.

[4] Several proposals for the location of a new station were made, at Cornhill and Barnfield industrial estate.

[5][6] [7] MCR collapsed and the Churnet Valley Railway raised the funds to take the proposal forward on its own, with planning permission in May 2018.