The reopening of Macclesfield Canal is on track despite a new sinkhole.

A 'substantial' sinkhole has opened up on the Bosley Lock Flight, near to where the Canal and River Trust are undertaking repairs following a breach earlier this year.

Rich MacKenzie, who lives aboard the Bluebell narrowboat with his family, says this has made lock three 'inoperable'.

He added: "This fresh damage is threatening navigation once again and there is a growing sense of uncertainty among boaters and locals alike."

A new sinkhole has opened up on the Bosley Lock Flight on the Macclesfield Canal (Credit: RichMacKenzie)

Despite this setback, the CRT remain confident that Macclesfield Canal will be back open by the end of June, as planned.

A spokesperson for the waterways charity said: "A sinkhole recently appeared at lock three on the Bosley Lock Flight on the Macclesfield Canal where we are completing repairs.

"Our charity's engineers have been monitoring the site closely and have agreed a routine repair to fill the hole with compacted clay, which will be topped with crushed slate to match the existing surface.

advertisement

"We're working hard to complete this permanent repair so the canal can reopen on Wednesday (June 25) as planned.

"The towpath will reopen a week later on Wednesday (July 2).

"This illustrates one of the many challenges facing our nation's 250-year-old canal network. We're asking people to support our work, either through a donation, volunteering, or spreading the word about how important it is to keep canals alive."