The intention was a canal from Taunton to Exeter, linking the Bristol Channel with the English Channel, so avoiding the slow and dangerous passsage round Lands End, Later the link was planned to be with a Bristol & Taunton Canal, and so on to London by the Kennet & Avon Canal. In fact the lock-free Tiverton Branch was built first,opening in 1814. The section on to Taunton was built 1831–38 as a tub-boat canal, with seven lifts and an incline plane.