ended interference with existing water
communications. In the case of one Canal Company, special reasons
existed which might have weighed more strongly than those derived solely
from private considerations; viz. that a guarantee had been given to
assist the Severn Navigation Commissioners to raise money for the purpose
of carrying out a great public improvement authorized by Parliament. From
this difficulty, however, as well as from the apprehension of that great
improvement being impeded by the introduction of Railways into the
district, we are relieved by the offer made by the Railway Company to
whose scheme we recommend that a preference should be given, to take upon
themselves the burden of the guarantee to the extent of any loss
sustained in consequence of the construction of the Railway, subject to
any reasonable conditions and arrangements.

With regard to the remaining point, that of safety, it is admitted that
portions of the soil being undermined, subsidences occasionally take
place; but there appears no reason to apprehend any peculiar degree of
danger to a Railway from this source, beyond what equally affects the
Canals, Roads, Tramroads, Founderies, Mills, and other buildings of the
district, and which has never been considered an impediment to the
introduction of Railways in other mining districts. Some of the most
eminent engineers of the day, among whom may be mentioned Sir J. Rennie,
Mr. Brunel, and Mr. R. Stephenson, have proposed the lines which pass
through the district in question, and are clearly of opinion that they
may be worked without any unusual degree of danger.

We are of opinion, therefore, that some one line of Railway is required,
and may be properly sanctioned, for the accommodation of the district in
question, between Wolverhampton and Worcester. This being conceded, the
sanction of a line in connexion with it, to connect Worcester more
directly with London, and to give communication to the large intermediate
district, appears to follow almost as a matter of course. The supply of
coals to this district, where a great reduction of price will be
effected, is alone an important object; and, on the other hand, an outlet
will be afforded for agricultural produce. A population of about 128,000
between Worcester and Tring would be accommodated by the line in that
direction; and on the whole, taken in connexion with the Worcester and
Wolverhampton Junction, the traffic seems sufficient to