It is never easy to create a cycling infrastructure in an urban industrial area that was designed for other forms of transport and the City of Stoke-on-Trent is a beacon of best practice that other councils can learn from.  This city  is a federation of 6 towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Tunstall and Stoke. Close by  the scenic Staffordshire moorlands extend to and through Biddulph. 

I have to compliment the city council whose efforts to keep cyclists safe and segregated from vehicles and pedestrians is evident through signposting, designated cycling lanes on roads, on wide paths and the connections to National Cycling Route 55 that runs alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal with its spur NCR 555 meandering through the parkland of Burslem  in the heart of this fine cities pottery ceramic industry. Here the likes of Minton, Moorcroft, Josiah Wedgwood and Clarice Cliffe produced their world famous products. Nowadays another  world famous ceramic artist, Anita Harris,  hand crafts her bespoke studio pottery ceramic wares here. 

 The story of my cycling adventure in Stoke on Trent can be read here: www.harlechjoe.wordpress.com