Original plans drawn up in the late 1990s for converting the A41 to a dual carriageway and bypassing Aston Clinton included a low level crossing of the canal, which would have prevented restoration. However, negotiations resulted in the Highways Agency funding a diversion of the canal to a point where there was sufficient headroom for navigation. The Trust argued that an  pipe to carry away rain water from the road would be insufficient in storm conditions, and that excavating  of new canal would be a better solution.
Original plans from the late 1990s to convert the A41 into a dual carriageway and bypass Aston Clinton included a low-level crossing of the canal, which would have hindered restoration. However, negotiations led to the Highways Agency funding a rerouting of the canal to an area with sufficient height for navigation. The Trust contended that a pipe to drain rainwater from the road was inadequate during storms, and that excavating a new canal would be a more effective approach.