When the constructors of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal were building their main line, he petitioned them to alter its route to better serve his quarries.

The act did not authorise the raising of capital, as Lord Thanet financed the canal himself, and it was constructed mainly on his own land.

It left the Leeds and Liverpool canal in the centre of Skipton, and ran around the back of the castle to some loading chutes, into which limestone from the quarries was tipped.

As built, the tramway terminus was a lot higher than the canal, and long chutes were used to load the limestone into boats.

Since January 2016 the branch has been closed beyond Mill Bridge after a rock fall from the cliff face beneath Skipton Castle.