 The canal was brought into use in stages, with the first tolls being collected in November 1794, and 17 boats carrying 639 tons recorded in that year.The canal reached West Hallam in June 1795, but it was not until May 1796 that the final section with its three locks was completed.Traffic figures for July 1796 showed that 1,602 tons had originated from the Shipley colliery and 1,158 tons from West Hallam.