Thames and Medway Canal

The first practical attempt to build the canal began in 1799, when Ralph Dodd published a pamphlet and began to solicit investment for the scheme. Dodd's plan was for a 6 mi canal with locks and basins, taking two years to build and costing £24,576, part of the cost to be defrayed by selling the excavated chalk as agricultural lime. Dodd was confident that the canal would be useful to the government but would also attract commercial vessels. | repeal_date = | amendments = | repealing_legislation = | related_legislation = | status = Amended | original_text = | collapsed = yes }} In 1800 the canal company received the necessary act of Parliament, the (39 & 40 Geo. 3. c. xxiii), and work began…