 The Earls of Harborough and Winchilsea supported the navigation, and a bill was put before Parliament in September.In November, some £51,000 was promised towards the costs of construction, and on 7 May 1793, the act of Parliament was granted, authorising the Oakham Canal Company to raise £56,000 by issuing shares, with an additional £20,000 if required.The new route had been surveyed by William Jessop, but the detailed design was done by Christopher Staveley junior, who then became the engineer.