Work began on the link in early 1770, but in May the Staffordshire and Worcestershire attempted to obtain a mandamus writ, which would have compelled the other company to make the junction.

At this point, the Birmingham company negotiated, paid the costs of the bill, and agreed to press on quickly with the link.

It was no small task, as it involved a flight of 20 locks (later increased to 21) to drop the level of the canal 132 feet (40 m) between Wolverhampton and the junction.

The plans were drawn up by Dugdale Houghton, a firm of surveyors from Birmingham,[6] but the canal was never constructed, as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire company reduced their tolls rather than lose them altogether.

The pound continues for 8.1 miles (13.0 km) to the north before reaching Gailey Lock, the first one that starts the descent to Great Haywood Junction.