As stated in its Strategic Plan, Stronger Together, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s strategic priorities that relate to its waterways are:
- Support our residents to fulfil their potential
- Support our businesses to thrive, delivering investment in our towns and communities
- Work with residents to make our towns and communities great places to live
The Council’s strategic objectives that relate to its waterways include:
- Protect and improve mental and physical health and wellbeing
- Transform participation in sport and physical activity across the city
- Celebrate and promote our great city and increase the number of visitors
- Develop a transport network that reduces congestion and supports growth in our city
- Ensure our city is clean and well maintained, with high quality green spaces and parks
- Preserve and enhance the unique heritage of our city
- Involve communities in making each town and neighbourhood a great, vibrant and healthy place to live and work.
Stoke-on-Trent Canal Partnership Group meets regularly to discuss matters related to the canals in the City. Gateway signs at the three entrance points to the City, funded by the City Council were installed at Norton Green, Trentham, and Harecastle in 2011. The group also has been involved in, among other things, the reviews of Caldon and Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Areas (2012), development of the Canals Management Strategy (2014) and the Canal Opportunities Study (2014).
As part of the 2016 European City of Sport, the Heritage Canoe Trail has been developed. The 20 mile trail from Westport Lake to Froghall has been created for paddlers of all ages and abilities to enjoy a beautiful and historically rich section of our waterways.
Work is now underway to develop and deliver a programme of improvements along the City’s waterways following £1,000,000 investment from Stoke City Council, announced in February 2016, working with the Canal & River Trust, the Stoke-on-Trent Canal Partnership Group and other key stakeholders.
