the powers were revived in 1620, when stamford corporation was given permission by the commission of sewers to build a new artificial cut, which would run from the eastern edge of stamford near hudd's mill, to market deeping, where it would rejoin the river. the decision was ratified in 1623 by a grant of james i, and the corporation expected to have the work completed by 1627. however, they were unable to find a suitable contractor to carry out the work, and failed to reach agreement on terms with david cecil in 1636, and two other potential contractors after that. finally in 1664, an alderman from stamford called daniel wigmore took the job. he built the cut and 12 locks, which included the high lock and the low lock on the river at deeping st james, at a cost of £5,000. in return for his expenditure, he was given the lease of the tolls for the next 80 years, for which he paid a rent of one shilling (five pence). the cut, known as the stamford canal, is one of the earliest post-roman canals in england. it opened in 1670, around 100 years before the start of the industrial revolution which brought about the "golden age for canals" in britain. when built, it was the longest canal with locks in britain, and was very busy with barges carrying flour, malt, coal, timber and limestone.