About

Leek and District Historical Society

A talk by Shaun Farrelly

Until the middle of the 18th century, transport was a difficult and expensive undertaking. Most roads were made of earth and were impassable during the winter and heavy rain. There were some toll roads which were only marginally better. It was possible to transport goods by water but only on the navigable sections of the major rivers. Along came James Brindley who had the drive and the technical ability to undertake these vast civil engineering projects of canal construction which would make the industrial revolution possible. Without his incredible contribution, Britain would not have become such the dominant force that would emerge in the Victorian era.