A GLEAMING new bridge linking canalside homes with future city centre shops and offices has signalled the intent of regeneration bosses.

Hanley's Bridgewater Bridge, named after the neighbouring Bridgewater Pottery, will allow residents of 2,400 canalside homes, earmarked for land between Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street, to walk easily into Hanley.

Developers involved in the massive City Waterside housing regeneration scheme admit the recession means it will take years to complete the £177 million project.

But yesterday's official opening of the glass-walled footbridge over the Caldon Canal showed that those behind plans remain determined to finish the job.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, councillor Adrian Knapper, said the unveiling marked a landmark in the City Waterside programme.

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He told more than 100 invited guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: "This bridge doesn't just go from one side of the canal to the other, it actually links this area to the future.

"Together with new housing that will span right into the city centre, we will also have a new shopping centre and business district that will create jobs and opportunities."

Just 220 of the planned homes have been built so far, along with the high-tech Waterside Primary School, as the housing market downturn has slowed the pace of development.

But millions of pounds are now being spent on a raft of environmental improvements, including new canal towpaths, streetlights, pavements and boundary walls to enhance surrounding streets.

Renew North Staffordshire director Hardial Bhogal said: "The amount of transformation to date has been absolutely incredible, but the real journey is only just beginning."

Bridgewater Pottery owner Emma Bridgewater has agreed to move her works to the other side of Lichfield Street to help open up the canalside location for new leisure, retail and housing developments.

She said: "I think that what is happening with City Waterside is extremely positive."

Waterside Primary School headteacher Hillary Pickin also attended the opening ceremony, along with a group of pupils.

She said: "What they have done so far is fantastic.

"We didn't know that it would happen on this kind of scale.

"We were a bit worried about the bridge being built so close to the school at first, but the way they have done it makes the area much more attractive now."

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