The extension of the Coventry Canal through Polesworth (the stretch running through the site of the former Pooley Colliery is shown left) in 1790 encouraged the growth of industry in the area, with many factories being located on or near the banks of the canal. One of the earliest man-made waterways, work on the canal started in 1768 under the supervision of James Brindley. However, the engineer, committed to work on many other similar projects, was dismissed in 1769 for spending too little time on the scheme. In 1771, work on the canal was abandoned when funds ran out; of the proposed 37 miles of canal (stretching from Coventry to Fradley Heath) only 17 miles had been completed. It was not until 1781 that work was resumed, with the entire canal only being finished 1790.
At its peak, the Coventry Canal was one of the most successful canals in the country, transporting coal from Polesworth, Birch Coppice, Baddesley and Wilnecote collieries, as well as stone from quarries at Hartshill and Merevale. In the face of competition from the railways, trade began to decline in the mid-1800s and the resultant neglect of the canal's upkeep had become quite severe by the 1920s, with some portions of the route impassable to loaded boats. The last commercial traffic was carried by the canal in the early 1960s.
(See also: the transportation map.)
In 1906, Polesworth was gripped with great excitement when an aeroplane, taking part in the Daily Mail's London to Manchester air race, was forced to land in a field off Grendon Road, near Sandyways. The pilot, Claude Grahame-White (famous for having performed the first recorded night flight), was able to repair the plane, thanks to assistance from some of the bystanders (the photograph shows Grahame-White as he prepared to take-off). He resumed the race, only to be beaten by his French rival, Louis Paulham.
(See also: the transportation map.)