British Waterways receives funding from Oxfordshire County Council to improve Jericho towpath
27 July 2010
British Waterways has been awarded £100,000 from Oxfordshire County Council towards a £115,000 project to improve the Oxford Canal towpath in Jericho.
The grant, from Oxfordshire County Council’s Developer Contribution Fund, will enable a 750-metre section of towpath between Walton Well Road Bridge and Isis Lock to be improved, with an upgraded surface and new passing places. The eight-week project will begin on the 2 August 2010.
James Clifton, British Waterways’ Regeneration Manager said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from Oxfordshire County Council. This area is extremely popular with walkers and cyclists and over the years the towpath has become worn from constant wear and tear. The money from Oxfordshire County Council will make a huge difference, helping us create a more attractive and safer space for walkers and cyclists to share.”
Cllr Rodney Rose, Oxfordshire County Councils’ Cabinet Member for Transport said: “The waterways are a fantastic community resource for Oxford and Oxfordshire and improving this stretch of towpath will make a real difference for local people.”
The towpath will remain open during much of the works but will have to be closed when the new towpath top layer is laid. To minimise disruption, clearly signed diversion routes will be in place and any closures will be kept to a minimum.
In addition to the towpath works, British Waterways will, from mid-August, be starting a number of works to improve facilities for boats navigating the historic Oxford Canal. These include the installation a new lock landing area alongside Isis Lock and pontoon to aid boaters when using the lock, plus installing 18-metres of bank protection.
The Oxford Canal flows for 77 miles through towns and villages from the centre of historic Oxford to Coventry. Originally built for transporting freight the 200-year old canal has enjoyed a new lease of life as a leisure resource for tourists and local people.
Since 2007 over £150k of improvements have been carried out along this stretch of waterway including the installation of new boaters’ facilities, the creation of a pocket park at Hythe Bridge, bank protection works and duck ramps.
British Waterways and the County Council are members of the Oxford City Canal Partnership, which was formed in 2009 to promote and improve access to the canal.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Sarah Rudy on 01908 302584 / 07788 691 219 or email sarah.rudy@britishwaterways.co.uk
British Waterways cares for Britain’s 200-year old network of historic canals, rivers and docks, which attract over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling, boating or simply the peace and quiet. We wish to establish a ‘national trust’ for the waterways in order to secure the network for future generations and to give local people a greater say in how they are run. www.britishwaterways.co.uk