[1] Against this background, the corporation sought to obtain an act of Parliament in 1699, which would allow them to reinstate navigation to Cambridge.

St. 2. c. 11)[2] and established the conservators as a legal body with powers to collect tolls in order to maintain the river.

The conservators appear to have managed the river prudently, deriving a little extra revenue in rents from public houses which were constructed at each of the sluices.

3. c. ccxiv) gave the conservators powers to raise tolls and to charge penalties, while the Bedford Level Drainage Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo.

This act also increased the number of Conservators by two, as the Mayor of Cambridge and vice-chancellor of the University were appointed as official members of the body.

The following year they spent £880 on constructing a house at Clayhithe, which included a large room suitable for meetings and banquets.