No-one was hurt in the incident which saw the rig crash through the roof of a former signal box on the site which is being transformed into a new neighbourhood next to the west coast mainline train station.

Bowmer & Kirkland is main contractor on the job where work started last October. Social media pictures show the stricken piling rig was branded as a Cohesion Piling machine.

A Capital & Centric spokesperson spokesperson told the Stoke Sentinel: “There was an incident on site involving the piling rig. No-one was hurt, but it’s caused some limited damage to the former signal box.

“We’re working closely with the construction contractors, responsible for managing the site, who will rectify the issue and investigate the circumstances.

“The area was secured immediately and the road has been closed as a precaution whilst surveys are done.”

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters were called to Lytton Street, Stoke-on-Trent, at 12.35pm on Monday following reports of a fallen rig.

“Crews from Hanley and Longton attended as did our colleagues from Staffordshire Police, Highways and the local authority.

“On arrival, officers found a piling rig had fallen into a nearby building. No one was injured.

“Crews used an aerial ladder platform to assist partners in gathering footage. Crews left the scene just after 2.50pm and the rig will be recovered on Tuesday morning.”

The Goods Yard scheme will involve building a mixed-use community for 174 new homes, works spaces, shops, bars, cafes and a new public square at the Swift House site.

The signal box hit by the piling rig is due to become a cafe-bar.