Communication (U) Canals 



and was mainly due to the energy and resources of the 

 Duke of Bridgewater and the skill of the engineer, James 

 Brindley, who designed and carried out several of the 

 earlier canals, commencing with the Bridgewater 

 canal, completed in 1772. The new canals were at 

 first objected to by farmers as diminishing the quantity 

 of land available for cultivation ; but in spite of this 

 they were a great advantage to the community for the 



The Grand Junction canal near Kernel Hempstead 



conveyance of coal and all other heavy goods, besides 

 manure, lime, and other necessaries for the land. 

 A great number of canals were constructed between 

 1788 and 1805, and the last inland canal was completed 

 about 1834. Then they were superseded by a faster 

 and easier means of conveyance, although the canals 

 remain serviceable for heavy goods when speed is not 

 desired, and in various parts of England the barges 



