Chaos on canal between Leeds and Castleford blighted by sunken boats and claims 'sea toilets' dumping human waste into water

At least two boats have been left abandoned and part-submerged along the Aire and Calder Navigation and regular canal users are calling for them to be removed.

One boat has been protruding from the water "for months" at Woodlesford Lock, an area which is also popular with visitors and dog walkers along its towpath.

And one man, who has lived on the canals for two years, said he has asked for them to be removed and claims some boats are fitted with sea toilets – which discharge directly into the water.

The 54-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: "I’ve been on the canals for two years and I think it’s the worst thing I’ve ever done.

“Some people are tipping waste straight into the canal. They have sea toilets which are illegal on canal boats. You are meant to have cassette toilets.

“The sunken boat at Woodlesford has been there for months and now it’s in the overflow.

“There’s one that’s been in there for about three or four years. It keeps moving between Allerton Bywater and Castleford.

“I have reported it loads of times, lots of people have, but nothing happens. Everybody is really frustrated."

He pays £1,000-a-year to be a “constant cruiser” – meaning he must move on every two weeks – but says he is at the end of his tether and is now considering his next move.

The Canal and River Trust has been contacted for a comment.