Mersey Canal proposed to enter it; also to execute that part of the line of the Trent and Mersey Canal, from the junction above-mentioned, at Preston Brook, to its termination at Runcorn; for which the Duke should receive the following rates upon that part of the Trent and Mersey Line of Canal, which, commencing from Preston Brook, takes a circuitous route through the beautiful grounds of Norton Priory, the seat of Sir R. Brooke, Bart. and thence by Lower Runcorn to the Mersey. On the 31st of December, 1772, the ten locks at Runcorn were opened, and the whole of the canal and other works were completed to Manchester, on the 21st of March, 1776.
TONNAGE RATES.
| For all Coal, Stone, Timber, and other Goods, Wares, Merchandize and Commodities | 1d per Ton, per Mile. |
And so in proportion for any greater or less Distance than a Mile, or less Weight than a Ton; but if any Boat shall pass the whole of the Locks, to be erected at Runcorn, then the same Tonnage to be paid as if the Vessel had passed along the whole Distance between Runcorn and Preston Brook. Also, the Duke has power to charge, upon this part of the Navigation, such additional Tonnage to the Penny Rate above-mentioned, so that the total Amount does not exceed the Rate which the Duke is empowered to collect upon the other parts of his Navigation.
On the 18th of March, 1766, the royal assent was given to an act, entitled, 'An Act to enable the Most Noble Francis Duke of Bridgewater, to extend a Branch of his Navigation, Cut, or Canal, upon Sale Moor, in the county of Chester, to the Market Town of Stockport, in the said county,' but no portion of this proposed canal was ever executed. It was in length seven miles and a half, with a rise of 68 feet. By another act obtained in the 35th George III. entitled, 'An Act to enable the Most Noble Francis Duke of Bridgewater, to make a navigable Cut from his present Navigation, in the township of Worsley, in the county palatine of Lancaster, to the township of Pennington, near the town of Leigh, in the said county,' the Duke of Bridgewater was enabled to extend his navigation to the town of Leigh, to which place the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company have subsequently extended a branch of their navigation, so that now another navigable communication is made through the heart of Lancashire, connecting the towns of Wigan, Chorley, Blackburn, Preston, and those two lmportant places, Liverpool and Manchester.
