on 13 July 1812, and a month later James Morgan, who had previously produced plans and sections to support the application, was appointed as Engineer, Architect and Land Surveyor for the scheme.

[2] The company was persistently short of money, as it had only succeeded in raising £254,100 of the estimated cost of £400,000, and as work progressed, it became obvious that more would be needed.

3. c. 34), with commissioners given powers to award loans to public projects which would provide employment for those without work.

In 1826 it was upgraded with a steam tug pulling a guiding chain above the centre of the bed which would propel the barges; which remained until the 1930s,[5] when it was replaced with a diesel engine, now defunct due to boats' motor propulsion.

Walkers or cyclists wishing to follow the tunnel are helped by a trail of waymarkers which have been set into the pavements above.