4.1 The natural rivers of England and Scotland have, since the Middle Ages, been the subject of works and excavations to make them navigable. However, by the mid-eighteenth century works of construction were commenced to build navigable canals and these works continued well into the nineteenth century and, as a consequence, inland waterways played a leading role in serving the country’s transport needs during the Industrial Revolution. The major benefit of these waterways, or “navigations” was that goods could be moved around the country cheaply and in bulk.