The Growth of the Canal Network
Again Brindley was the consulting engineer for the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. It joined the Grand Trunk to the river Severn and opened in 1772. The Thames and Severn Canal (opened 1789, but not designed by Brindley) together with the Stroudwater Navigation, linked the Thames and London to the Severn.
London's main line route from the north opened in stages. Brentford to Uxbridge was opened in 1794. The Paddington Canal (also known as the Paddington Arm, or branch) opened in 1801 from Hayes, Middlesex, to Paddington. The whole route was opened in 1805. As usual it was a long tunnel which delayed the opening of the whole route.