Sat 28 Apr 1866
To Members of Parliament
Requests to Sir M Beach, E Horsman, G P Scrope, R S Holford & Col N Kingscote to oppose bill to authorise sale of Worcester & Birmingham Canal to McLean, Brassey and Elliott, as it would destroy through water communication between Stroudwater Co and consuming and producing districts of the Midland Counties. Continued ...
Circular addressed to Sir M H Beach, Messrs E Horsman, G P Scrope, R S Holford & Col Nigel Kingscote
Canal Office April 28th 1866
Sir At a General Meeting of the Proprietors of the S N I was instructed to inform ou that there is a Bill now before Parliament to authorize the sale of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to Messrs McLean, Brassey & Elliott.
It is believed to be the intention of the Promoters of this Bill, ultimately, to seek powers to convert the Canal into a Railway. Should such be the case, it would be most injurious to the interest of this Canal, which has been established more than ninety years, as it would completely destroy the through water communication between the SN & the consuming & producing districts of the Midland Counties, more especially the water carriage of coals, from whence many thousands of tons are brought annually to this neighbourhood, & to the Mills adjoining the Banks of this Canal.
Under any circumstances the Proprietors of the S N deem it highly impolitic & inexpedient that the sanction of Parliament should be given to the transfer of a great public highway such as the Worcester & Birmingham Canal is, to two or three private individuals.
I am therefore further instructed to request that you will use your influence in opposition to the Bill, & that you will vote against its second reading.
N A P, Clerk to the Co
