Burslem Port in Middleport, February 2006. Plans are underway to redevelop the area around the Trent and Mersey canal. Pictured on the barge, from left to right, are Julie Sharman (British Waterways), Roger Strange (Burslem Port Project), David Dumbleton (Burslem Port Project, Joan Walley (Stoke North MP) and Andrew Tharp of RENEW North Staffordshire.