 However, they were chiefly concerned with protecting their water supply, and ensuring that the aqueduct to carry the canal over the navigation at Newburgh, near Parbold, would not impede the progress of fixed-masted boats.Leigh's son, Holt Leigh, had been talking to the canal committee since October 1769, to work out a solution.A branch canal would link the canal to the river upstream of the aqueduct, and locks would link them downstream.