Man calls for urgent repairs to 'atrocious' Oxford Canal moorings

[Alan de Enfield]

Man calls for urgent repairs to 'atrocious' Oxford Canal moorings | Oxford Mail

 

A BOATER says moorings on the Oxford Canal are some of the worst and most dangerous he has seen in the UK.

Richard MacKenzie, known as Rich, travels the waterways across the country making and selling upcycled jewellery with his family. 

When he arrived in Oxford earlier this month, he said he was disappointed to see bank walls collapsing and potholes opening up - and he said other boaters are avoiding the city for this reason.

The 41-year-old, who was born in Oxford and raised in Bicester, told the Oxford Mail: "Boaters don't want to come here which is a real shame. It is a real let-down. I am so incredibly proud of the Oxford Canal but whenever we speak to boaters they say, 'oh, we never go down to Oxford, we turn off and go down the Thames. The boaters are really lovely but the moorings are atrocious'.

 

The Canal and River Trust said ‘some great work’ has been done along the canal in partnership with Oxford City Council and will be ‘investing many thousands of pounds’ on work to improve the canal banks ‘at various locations’ in the year ahead.

It continued: “However, as a charity, we’re constantly seeking help and funds to improve this amazing green and blue space for boaters and residents to enjoy.”

The Trust also said the Wolvercote Lift Bridge replacement has been delayed until the new year, 'but it is still very much on the list of major works for this winter'. 

 

[MoominPapa]

The Jericho VMs are full of ankle-breaking collapse holes. I've reported them before, and work has been done, but it never seems to last.

 

MP.

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by MoominPapa

[doratheexplorer]

The whole towpath from Kidlington south is in a terrible state.  Overgrown, potholed, collapsing.  I would imagine it's deliberate as that stretch used to have a problem with overstaying. 

 

By the way, Richard's live jewellery making videos on facebook are a delight.  Find him there as "By Bike And Boat".

[Dave123]

CRT have patched up a few holes in the towpath around Aynho but a lot of it is still very poor. Does reduce cycling at least😂. I have also reported 3 seperate streams flowing from holes in the canal wall at points around Somerton/Heyfords🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[john6767]

I would agree with the sentiment quoted, the Oxford Canal below Dukes Cut is a dump, Dukes Cut to the Thames every time for me.