The success of the canal

• The price of coal halved from 60p a ton to 30p once it started to arrive in Manchester using the new form of transport.
• By October 1771, the profits from the Bridgewater Canal were only £3,546, but Bridgewater was in £133,219 debt.
• Once the canal fully opened on 21 March 1776, the Duke was able to start charging people more money to use his canal. Very soon he was able to pay off his debt and make a huge profit.
• Bridgewater proved to businessmen that building canals could speed up deliveries, halve the cost of transport and make huge profits.
• The Bridgewater Canal also demonstrated James Brindley's talent.