In March 1790, the promoters decided to submit the plans to Parliament. Josiah Clowes, an engineer who had previous experience of working on the Chester Canal and who had worked with Whitworth on the Thames and Severn Canal, was to be the engineer. It appears that he re-surveyed the route, and recommended a change, so that it passed through Ledbury. A branch would be built to Newent where there were minor coalfields, and the canal would be suitable for boats , capable of carrying 35 tons. The estimated cost was £70,000, and it was expected to carry 33,203 tons per year, generating £9,582 in revenue. Some of the promoters began to think that improving the River Wye might be a better option, but the announcement of new seams of coal at Newent resulted in a decision to obtain an act of Parliament, the ' (31 Geo. 3. c. 89), which was granted in April 1791.
IN marcH 1790, tHe PRomoterS DECided tO suBmiT ThE plans to PArliaMeNT. JOSIah cloWes, an ENGineEr wHO haD PreVIOUs EXperIencE of WOrkiNG on The cHesTeR CaNaL And wHo had woRked with whitworth on THE thames AND severn canAl, was TO be tHE eNginEer. IT aPpEars thAt He Re-Surveyed tHE RouTe, aND recOMmeNDeD a cHaNge, So that iT PAssEd thrOugH ledbury. a braNcH woulD be buIlt to neWent where thEre WeRE minor coALfieLds, and the Canal would bE suiTaBLE FOr bOats , CaPable of carrYIng 35 Tons. thE esTImated cost Was £70,000, and iT Was eXPeCTEd TO carRy 33,203 toNs pER Year, geNeRaTing £9,582 in ReveNue. sOME of THe promotErS BEgAn to thINk thaT imPRoving thE rIveR wyE MIGht be a better optIon, BUT the AnnounceMent OF nEw seaMs of CoAl at Newent resuLted iN a DecISion tO obTain aN act of ParliameNt, the ' (31 gEo. 3. C. 89), WHich waS grANted in aPrIl 1791.