thumb|right|The seal of the Portsmouth and Arundel navigation company The plan for the canal was completed in 1815 and the act of Parliament, the '''''' (57 Geo. 3. c. lxiii), passed in 1817. At this stage costs were estimated at £119,000 rising to £125,452 in 1818. Construction started in 1818 and the canal was finished in 1823, at a cost of £170,000. The resident engineer was James Hollinsworth who was paid £500 per annum.
thumb|right|the seal of the portsmouth and arundel navigation company the plan for the canal was completed in 1815 and the act of parliament the '''''' (57 geo 3 c lxiii) passed in 1817 at this stage costs were estimated at £119000 rising to £125452 in 1818 construction started in 1818 and the canal was finished in 1823 at a cost of £170000 the resident engineer was james hollinsworth who was paid £500 per annum