BOATERS have raised concerns about erosion affecting other sections of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal after four metres of towpath collapsed in Rishton.

Engineers have since discovered four large sink holes in the base of the waterway, and that section has been drained for repairto be done, leaving boaters stranded on either side.

Fears have now been raised about a section of towpath through Nelson, as well as the Burnley embankment.

James Finnigan, who works at Lower Park Marina in Barnoldswick, said more cash was needed for general repairs and dredging of the canal.

He said: “The further down south you go, the nicer the canals get. Some of the machinery and money they have down there would be more than welcome here.”

Terry Nickson, manager at Reedley Marina in Burnley, said: “There’s a stretch where part of the Burnley embankment has collapsed and I would say it’s definitely an area for concern.”

John Yates, who runs Riley Green holiday firm Canal Boat Cruises, said it was fortunate the Rishton collapse happened at the end of the summer, but said a handful of customers would still have their holiday restricted. He was also concerned that water levels could drop severely west of Rishton if measures were not put in place, as the closure has cut off the water supply from the ‘summit’ of the canal, near Barrowford.

Helen Hall, spokeswoman for the Canal and River Trust, said: “We have no cause for concern at Nelson or Burnley.

“This may be general erosion or wear and tear of the canal wash walls caused by boat wash, which can sometimes be seen by a lay person as something of concern.

“The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is over 200-years old so it needs a lot of care and attention and this is something we do on a regular basis by carrying out inspections which will pick up on leakage or movement.”

The water flow from Rishton Reservoir to the canal has been increased to compensate for the loss of flow from upstream, she added.