The River Hull has long been used for transport, and although small boats could reach Fishilme in the 1760s, that was still about short of the small town of Driffield. In 1765, the merchants of the town, with those from Kilham, beyond it, approached the canal engineer John Smeaton for advice on how keels could reach Driffield. He suggested a cut from near Wansford to Driffield Beck. One lock would be required to accommodate the difference in levels, and he estimated the construction cost as £2,586. No action was taken, but John Grundy was consulted, and suggested a larger scheme in December 1766. This involved a cut from Fisholme to Driffield, with a basin in the town, and improvements to Frodingham Beck, to make it navigable to the bridge at Frodingham.