The late 18th century had been the era of canal-building, giving the first-ever opportunity to move large quantities of heavy goods over considerable distances by connecting navigable rivers with man-made canals. However, many of the canal promoters were also aware of other developments in transport. Among them was William James, whose own mining interests had made him aware of the use of horseworked waggonways using iron rails.
In the early 1820s, having seen Trevithick’s steam locomotive demonstrated, he began formulating plans for a Central Junction Railway or Tramroad linking the midlands canal system at Stratford-upon-Avon with the Thames at Oxford. It was much too ambitious for the time but it appealed to inhabitants of the hill country between Stratford and Moreton-in Marsh, an area bereft of a decent transport system by road or canal. In May 1821 the Stratford & Moreton Railway Bill was passed. This allowed for construction of a horse-worked tramway between Stratfordupon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh with a branch to Shipston-on-Stour, despite considerable opposition.
Bizarrely, James was one of many who registered opposition to the Bill but in his case it was merely in order to amend the
