4. c. ci), prior to this maintenance of the banks had been the responsibility of the riparian owners (frontagers) under the authority of the county commissioners.

[1] The act authorised improvements to the River Parrett below Langport, the construction of a canal to Westport.

The act gave the newly formed Parrett Navigation Company powers to raise £10,500 by the issuing of shares, and an additional £3,300 from a mortgage if required.

[2][3] The engineer for the whole scheme was William Gravatt, who had previously worked on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, and he was assisted locally by Charles Hodgkinson.

In 1875, parts of Westmoor were flooded, as a result of the company being unable to repair the culvert under the river at Huish Bridge, and Mr Thomas Mead opened the Langport lock gates to lower the upstream water levels.