Piles of rotting rubbish have turned an idyllic stretch of the Grand Union Canal into a malodorous health hazard, boaters have claimed.

For nearly nine months people living on the canal have had to dump their domestic waste on open barges moored near Batchworth Lock.

One barge was introduced as a temporary measure when British Waterways removed a third party contract to provide communal bins.

Two more barges appeared in the following months but have still to be removed.

Residents say the three barges currently resting on the bank – one of which is listing badly – have not been emptied in more than six months.

Mike Coleman, lock centre warden for the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, said urgent action is needed to remove the waste.

He said: “A huge amount of rubbish has been allowed to build up. Unfortunately because the barges are water-tight we end up with stagnant rain water building up inside.

It’s attracting rats and foxes keep ripping the bags open “A lot of rubbish isn’t even anything to do with the people living on the canal; we’ve had people from all over using it as a free dump, throwing televisions, sofas, and all sorts in there.

“It’s disgusting and creates a very bad image. We’ve been showing children around all week, trying to get them to respect the canal – but what message does this lot send out?

“British Waterways do a lot of good for the canal but this really must be sorted out. The sell will just get worse when the summer comes”

Waste and sewage disposal facilities at the lock are available for the use of licenced vessels, whose owners pay subscriptions to canal owners British Waterways.

Three Rivers District Council said it was concerned about the rubbish build up, adding that its environmental health team has asked British Waterways to remove the barges.

British Waterways said it was aware if the problem and was preparing to act.

A spokesman said: "“British Waterways are aware of the barges at Batchworth Lock in Rickmansworth. These barges are provided for boaters to dispose of their waste after arrangements we previously had in place were cancelled.

Unfortunately a small minority of the non boating community have also used these barges to dispose of their own personal waste.

We are in the process of making arrangements for the barges to be emptied by the end of this week and for the rubbish to be recycled.

This will then be done on a regular basis. British Waterways would like to apologise to local residents and boaters for any inconvenience this has caused.”