pɹˈɑːbləmz tə nˌævɪɡˈeɪʃən hæd lˈɔŋ bˌɪn ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzd ænd ðə fˈɜːst sədʒˈɛstʃənz fɔːɹ kɹiːˈeɪɾɪŋ ɐ lˈɑːk "nˌɪɹ klˈɪftən fˈɛɹi" əkˈɜːd ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd sˈɛvənhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti θɹˈiː, bˌiːɪŋ ɹˈeɪzd ɐɡˈɛn ɪn wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd ɪlˈɛvən.
Problems to navigation had long been recognised and the first suggestions for creating a lock "near Clifton Ferry" occurred in 1793, being raised again in 1811.