Rendel's plans were implemented by his former pupil Nathaniel Beardmore.
  The first tranche of work was supposed to comprise the tidal portion (from the Thames to Old Ford), hence the Limehouse Cut.
 However funds ran out, work stopped in 1853, and some of Rendel's plans had to be curtailed.
 When more funding became available in 1855 it had to be devoted to non-tidal parts of the Lee.

Some changes were made before funds ran out, with the following effect.
 The governing level in Limehouse Cut was increased: the water was not allowed to fall 2 feet below Trinity high water mark.
 The Cut under the Commercial Road bridge was made wider and given a towpath.
 Larger barges could now be handled:
These and other improvements were said to increase the tonnage on the Lee Navigation by 25% (but the tolls by 50%), despite competition from the Eastern Counties Railway.
Rendel's plans were implemented by his former pupil Nathaniel Beardmore.   The first tranche of work was supposed to comprise the tidal portion (from the Thames to Old Ford), hence the Limehouse Cut.  However funds ran out, work stopped in 1853, and some of Rendel's plans had to be curtailed.  When more funding became available in 1855 it had to be devoted to non-tidal parts of the Lee.
Some changes were made before funds ran out, with the following effect.  The governing level in Limehouse Cut was increased: the water was not allowed to fall 2 feet below Trinity high water mark.  The Cut under the Commercial Road bridge was made wider and given a towpath.  Larger barges could now be handled:
These and other improvements were said to increase the tonnage on the Lee Navigation by 25% (but the tolls by 50%), despite competition from the Eastern Counties Railway.
Limehouse Cut