 The Stour Valley line was practically complete in 1851, but the LNWR made no attempt to finalise the work or prepare it for opening.In response to an application to Parliament by the S&BR, the LNWR announced that the Stour Valley Railway was ready for opening by 1 December 1852, but the LNWR refused the S&BR access, on the grounds that the S&BR had announced its intention to amalgamate with the GWR.It had not actually done so, merely announced the intention, but this gave the LNWR the opportunity to prevaricate.