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Burslem Port - Bringing Boats Back to
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
All clear given for the go-ahead to restore the Burslem Branch of the Trent
and Mersey Canal - known as The Burslem Port Project
Work has started on clearing the line of the old Burslem Branch Canal in Middleport,
Stoke-on-Trent following 13 years of planning and persuasion by the Burslem Port
Project.
Backed by the Trent and Mersey Canal Society and the Stoke Branch of the Inland
Waterways Association, the Project aims to restore the 3/8ths mile Branch Canal
and create an attractive and safe “haven” for boaters passing through
or visiting Stoke-on-Trent.
The restoration will also be a major feature in and contributor to, the regeneration
of both the Middleport community alongside the canal site and nearby Burslem
the “Mother Town” of the Potteries.
Supported financially by Renew North Staffordshire, the local regeneration
agency, a team of up to 20 young people is being trained in environmental management
and groundwork techniques by PM Training of Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, whilst undertaking
the clearance of trees, shrubs and scrub over a three-months period. The cost
is £46,800 which, when added to Renew’s previous funding of the Feasibility
Study, brings their total commitment to Burslem Port to around £100,000.
Chairman of the Project, Roger Savage, stated “Renew has demonstrated
their faith in the Project by funding this initial work which will open the way
for volunteers to be involved in the future. Whilst there is no guarantee that
our project will be fully realized this is a very good sign of progress”
Project Officer, David Dumbelton said “This is the first time that we
have “broken ground” after so long and it represents a giant step
forward for Burslem Port. In addition to Renew’s support we are also deeply
grateful to our Patron, Joan Walley MP (Member for Stoke North) who has worked
tirelessly over the years promoting our cause at the upper political level, and
we are also indebted to British Waterways who have also backed us all along and
provided much useful advice and support”
The Burslem Port site - the clearance team of young trainees and their instructors
from PM Training with (l to r) David Dumbelton - Project Officer; Joan Walley
MP – Patron; Debbie Hope – Middleport Regeneration Project Manager,
Renew North Staffordshire; Roger Savage – Chairman.
Early stages in clearing the Burslem Branch Canal line – the larger
trees to the left will be felled by trained professionals.
Where is Burslem? - MAP
