The 1801 Act of Parliament
In 1799, matters were brought to a head by a prolonged stoppage at Hull Bridge. At their Annual Meeting in 1800 the Commissioners ware provoked into action. William Chapmans earlier plans were reviewed by an Improvements Committee. Plans were made to raise the height of Hull Bridge and extentions to the Navigation, to Frodingham Bridge and Corps Landing, were proposed. The land was surveyed by Samuel Dickinson in September 1800, and plans formally presented to the Commissioners by William Chapman. These formed the basis of the New Driffield Navigation Act of 1801. The preamble read:
An Act to amend an Act, passed in the Seventh Year of the reign of his present Majesty, entitled, An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Bull and Frodingham Beck, from Aike Beck Mouth to the Clough, on the East Corner of Fisholme, and for extending the said Navigation from the said Clough into or near the Town of Great Driffield, in the East Riding of the County of York and to extend and improve the Navigation.Apart from the proposals made by William Chapman, the Act stipulated that the Commissioners could take down and rebuild, within 6 years, Hull Bridge near Beverley, and also that they were to maintain a Towing Path from Hull Bridge to Fisholme. Above Struncheon Hill Lock, to maintain the Right of Way between the two sections of land that were divided by the new Lock cut, the Act made provision for a Swing Bridge to be erected over the new cut. This bridge became known as Bethell's Bridge. The Commissioners were allowed to levy additional Tolls and Towpath dues, as follows:
| Additional Rates: | Cargo | Rate of duty |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat, Rye Beans. Peas or Rapeseed | 0s 3d per Quarter | |
| Malt, Oats, Barley, or any other grain | 0s 2d per Quarter | |
| Meal or Flour | 0s 3d per Sack of five Bushels | |
| Coal, CuIm, or Cinders | 1s 9d per Chaldron of 48 Bushels | |
| Brick, Stone. Tile or Lime for Building | 1s 9d per Ton. | |
| All other goods, Wares or Merchandise | 2s 0d per Ton. | |
| Towing Path Rates: | For every Description of Merchandize towed along the River by the Haling | 0s 0¼ per ton per mile. |
| Bridge Toll Rates: | After Hull Bridge is rebuilt, a Pontage Rate |