Lancaster Canal

, in the unnavigable northern section. The building on the left was used as stables for the packet boat services.]] Initial ideas for what would become the Lancaster Canal were formulated as a result of the high price of coal in the city of Lancaster and the surrounding area. James Brindley was asked to make a survey in 1771, but the work was carried out by Robert Whitworth, who presented his plans in 1772. The canal would run from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Eccleston for 54.5 mi on the level to Tewitfield, passing through Preston and Lancaster. Locks would then raise the canal by 86 ft, and a further 18 mi would bring the canal to Kendal. Major aqueducts would be required to cross…

Work started almost immediately on the level section from Preston to Tewitfield. Contracts for 27 mi of canal southwards from Tewitfield to Ray Lane near Catterall was awarded to John Murray of Colne and John Pinkerton. Although Pinkerton was a well-known canal contractor, Millar complained that the quality of his work was poor, and that he failed to follow instructions. Murray and Pinkerton were dismissed in 1795, to be replaced by several contractors each building smaller lengths of canal. In January 1794 work began on the Lune Aqueduct, which was built of stone, although Rennie thought brick should have been used, as it would have been considerably cheaper. By 1797 the aqueduct was…