In 1827 a private act of parliament was passed to give the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal powers to buy land and build a branch from Norbury Junction to Wappenshall Bridge to meet the existing Shrewsbury canal and create a new junction. This Newport Branch passed through the west of the Lilleshall Estate, including through Aqueduct Plantation. The eldest son of the 2nd Marquess of Stafford, as Lord Gower, both had his interests protected by the Act and as investor in the company.
The full text of the act reveals many provisions in favour of Lord Gower, especially sections XXVII to XXXII.