Stoke and North Staffordshire Canals

British Waterways are currently leading on regenerating the Trent & Mersey and the Caldon Canals within the city of Stoke-on-Trent creating high quality canalside environments which will bring tourism and economic opportunities for local people.

Initially in November 2003 British Waterways started working in partnership with Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke on Trent City Council and Newcastle Borough Council within North Staffordshire on the £5 million plus three year project to transform North Staffordshire Canals into a series of green routes underpinning the areas of economic and social revival.

The project objective is to contribute to North Staffordshire becoming a premier and high quality visitor destination. By enhancing the image and environment of the canal network and removing dereliction development opportunities will be created and investment encouraged.

In addition the project provides an integrated network of routeways utilising canals and connecting routes linked to the Sustrans National cycle Network.

The project has brought improvements to 17km of canal towpath creating a high quality multi user canal side environment along the Caldon and the Trent & Mersey through Stoke-on-Trent.

Specific examples include:

• Towpath improvements
• Improved facilities at Westport Lake
• Additional mooring rings
• Additional access points to towpath
• Self guided tour of Etruria Junction for Primary School children of Key Stage 2. More details can be obtained from www.wow4water.net. The trail not only meets educational requirements but also provides families with planned healthy walks.
• Removal of the boundary railings at Hanley Park
• Refurbished service blocks
• New green vehicle free routes for local residents

The work which is on its way to completion has made Stoke a visitor destination for various user groups. Boaters can moor up, benefit from improved facilities and access points and make use of the tourist attractions and leisure facilities Stoke has to offer. The upgraded towpaths will encourage locals to walk/cycle in a safer environment.

The regeneration of the canal corridor in Stoke has been developed to assist with the delivery of the £20 million 'Greening for Growth' strategy to exploit greenspace as a catalyst for regeneration. The project is funded principally from 3rd party regeneration sources, namely European Regional Development Fund, Advantage West Midlands, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and British Waterways.

Partners
British Waterways
Groundwork Stoke on Trent
Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council
Stoke on Trent City Council
Advantage West Midlands

For further info visit www.northstaffscanals.co.uk

Contact
Darren Green
Project Manager
British Waterways
Red Bull Wharf
Congleton Road South,
Church Lawton
Stoke on Trent
ST7 3AP

Tel 01782 788014