History

Francis, 6th Earl and 3rd Duke of Bridgewater

1759 - Early Days

As a young man Francis made the grand tour of Europe, the Canal Duke to be was evidently impressed with the canals in use on the continent which after turning his back on London, spurred him on to develop this means of transport to serve his collieries in Lancashire.

Initially his Agent John Gilbert, was engaged in preliminary levelling and surveying and when the Duke in his 23rd year presented his first Bill support was forthcoming from the traders of Manchester and Salford on the Duke’s undertaking to reduce the delivered price of coal in Manchester to no more that 4d per cwt.

Next - The process begins>>