 On 2 July 1847 the North Staffordshire Railway Act was passed . The act was necessary was because of problems encountered with the construction of the Crewe branch . The opportunity was taken to authorise several other deviations and small branches . It also consolidated the previous acts and importantly , forced the NSR to ensure that all lines were completed by specifying that ordinary dividends were not to exceed 5 % until the Churnet Valley and Willington lines had been opened . 
