 By 1924 the Bolton arm had experienced a significant fall in traffic , although until the 1930s , when colliery closures reduced traffic even further , coal trade remained brisk . By 1935 Fletcher 's Canal had fallen into disuse . Burst banks alongside the Irwell and Croal rivers ( caused largely by subsidence from mining activities ) were common . A major breach occurred in 1936 and was never repaired . 10 @.@ 45 acres ( 42 @,@ 300 m2 ) of land around this breach was purchased from the British Transport Commission by Cream 's Paper Mill , who subsequently built over part of the canal . 
