The Burslem Branch Canal was opened in 1805 as a short branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal in Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent.  It replaced an earlier wharf at Longport, just north of the branch canal junction, as the main wharf for Burslem, then a rapidly growing centre for ceramic production.

Burslem is one of the Six Towns of what was known collectively as The Potteries and was distinguished with the title of “Mother Town”.

The growth of markets, particularly internationally, demanded better wharf and docking facilities than that provided at Longport and the new canal provided this.  In its heyday it featured two major transhipment wharves, latterly in the hands of the Anderton and Mersey Weaver carrying companies, a boat repair and maintenance yard, a large industrial Co-operative Society bakery and a Corn Mill, all in the short length of less than 1/2 mile.

Incoming goods were mainly raw materials for the ceramic and bakery industries and outgoing goods were mainly finished ceramic ware for export to markets in such places as the Empire, North America and continental Europe.

The canal had been built lock-free on the summit pound of the Trent and Mersey but was on the side of a deep, narrow valley.  The embankment failed in December 1961 and the ensuing breach was devastating; as a result the branch canal was formally closed and infilled.

The breach occurred on a tight bend, immediately opposite the boat repair yard, where use of its sideways slipway would have put considerable pressure on the opposite bank, overlooking the valley.  In addition, there had been coal mine workings under the line of the canal over many years and subsidence from these was the likely main cause of the collapse.

The canal was subsequently infilled, covering the coal boat “Elizabeth” from the local Wolstanton Colliery, which was moored, probably just overnight, near the junction with the main line. Our plans include a “Time Team” style dig for this.

The line of the canal remains basically clear ground, which should make restoration easier, but a large drainage ditch (now redundant) was constructed alongside the canal line and a domestic waste tip (now closed) was created in what was previously the valley.  These have altered the landscape dramatically and create their own problems and opportunities within the regeneration plan.

The Mersey Weaver wharf and warehouse exists and is currently used as a waste transfer station.  At this time they are not Listed.

Nearly 50 years after the breach the canal remains dormant, waiting a re-awakening in the guise of Burslem Port, a new name created to represent the much wider character of the development into a “Destination”