Voles must mate first

A CAMPAIGN backed by a local councillor to upgrade a section of the Oxford Canal towpath into a cycle track has been delayed so as to avoid the vole mating season.

Councillor Susanna Pressel, who is known to be somewhat anti-boater and pro-cyclist wants the towpath ripped up and a new asphalt one installed for cyclists, Allan Richards reveals.

Delayed

But this upgrading of what is described as Oxford's worst stretch of canal towpath, that should have started this week, has been delayed until February owing to the water vole mating season.

However, as most Oxford boaters know, this particular towpath between Walton Well Road and Aristotle Lane is by no means the 'worst stretch of towpath', it is in fact one of the better ones, that at Wolvercote being much worse.

But the upgrade is particularly wanted for cyclists, and backed by the councillor, who claims the present towpath is rocky and dangerous for cyclists.  It will cost £158,000, that will be funded jointly by the Trust and the council.