Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has an ambitious 10 year plan to transform the headwaters of the River Trent – starting in Biddulph Moor, where the river begins its journey.
Following an 18 month feasibility study funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and its partners have developed a plan with the following aims:
- To conserve, enhance and restore the cultural, historic and natural heritage of the Trent headwaters.
- To empower communities to shape, lead and co-create the future of their landscape by supporting informed, independent action and fostering meaningful engagement.
- To improve physical, digital and intellectual access to the landscape heritage, creating better links and opportunities for learning, enjoyment and wellbeing.
- To create a lasting legacy of a resilient and restored landscape for both people and wildlife.
Biddulph Town Council has been working with the following partners:
Appetite
Canal and River Trust
Environment Agency
GeoConservation Staffordshire
Groundwork West Midlands
Keele University
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
OUTSIDE Arts
Stafford Borough Council
Staffordshire County Council
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Support Staffordshire
Together Active
Trent Rivers Trust
VAST
Wild Trout Trust
The Trent Headwaters have been mapped as a defined landscape area. We’ve learnt about the watercourses (streams and brooks) that feed into the River Trent as it rises in Biddulph Moor and flows through Stoke-on-Trent to help identify projects that can be delivered to make a positive difference to wildlife and environment.
The Town Council has been working to promote the section of the Biddulph Valley Way from the Trent Head Well to Knypersley Reservoir. The intention is to improve footpaths along the walk and at the Trent Head Well.
Initiatives such as:
- Development of a cycle/footpath on the eastern side of time, opening up the old Carriage Way.
- Enhancement of the Biddulph leg of the Trent Valley Way with signage, art, etc.
- Creation of a visitor facility at Biddulph Moor.
Restoration of Carriage Drive
Biddulph has a well-used and well-maintained path (Route 55) along the western side of the town, the Biddulph Valley Way, used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Similar infrastructure does not exist on the eastern side of the town. A new defined path would deliver a safer route to schools and provide better linkage between housing estates and amenities, together with a connection to Knypersley Pool, which collects water from the River Trent.
The proposed new route would link footpaths already on the definitive map (44 and 71), but would require permission or the acquisition of land heading north to join the Thames Drive estate. Locally, this northern section is referred to as ‘the old Carriage Drive’, with a link to the Bateman/Heath activities. It linked the old Knypersley and Biddulph Grange estates. Parts of footpaths 44 and 71 would require work to make them more accessible for a range of users.
As an extension to this project, it has been the Town Council’s aspiration to create a safe walking route from Biddulph to Biddulph Moor for a long time. Whilst this land is steep, an improved surface would enable residents to use this route throughout the year. Footpath 38 is on the definitive map.