This led to a flurry of canal proposals in 1792 and 1793, all based on the assumption that the Grand Junction would be built.

The Grand Junction Canal again refused to construct the branch, and the idea of a railway was dropped.

It was 1.25 miles (2.0 km) long, and the level fell by 50.75 feet (15.47 m) through seven locks as it ran from Great Linford to Newport Pagnell.

The cost of the project was around £14,200, which included ornamentation where the canal passed through ground belonging to the Rev.

This proposed a canal for 20-ton boats, from Newport Pagnell via Tyringham, Sharnbrook and St Neots, where it would join the Ouse.

Although the 1881 Ordnance Survey map shows the railway, rather than the canal, there were no crossings,[6] and this remained the case in 1925.

[9] The two lock pounds immediately below Great Linford Wharf were depicted on Ordnance Survey maps until 1968, but disappeared after that.

[13] A section of the Newport Pagnell basin wall was discovered during the redevelopment of the railway station site.