Bridge by Thomas Telford carrying Shropshire Union Canal over Watling Street near Stretton, Staffordshire. The Shropshire Union Canal is a canal linking Wolverhampton (and the Birmingham Canal Navigations) with the River Mersey. It has been described as the last trunk canal route to be built in England, being completed in 1835, and it was the last major civil engineering accomplishment of Thomas Telford. Thomas Telford (August 9, 1757 - September 2, 1834) was born in Westerkirk, Scotland. He was a stonemason, architect and civil engineer and a noted road, bridge and canal builder. 固opFoto / Fortean