a branch to chippenham off the wilts & berks canal was built in 1798, terminating at a wharf at timber street near the marketplace; the main commodity traded was coal. the site of the wharf is now the town's bus station, and part of pewsham way follows the line of the branch. the great western railway arrived in chippenham in 1841, and in turn attracted many new businesses. the arrival of these businesses required new housing which led to the expansion of the town into land north of the railway, which in turn led to the growth of further industries to support the building work.