A BOATER has said Oxford's towpath has been 'insanely busy' today despite people being urged to get their fresh air elsewhere.

While people are allowed to leave their homes once a day for exercise, Oxford Waterways said that parts of the canal towpath are 'not appropriate places for exercise at this time'.

READ AGAIN: Use of canals for exercise should be 'limited'

The group, which unites the city council, Oxfordshire County Council, the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust, said areas with residential moorings should be 'avoided entirely'.

It issued the advice on social media this morning, but the message does not seem to have had an impact yet.

Freelance photographer Jeff Slade said, who lives on the canal between Waterways Estate and Wolvercote, said people had been showing 'little regard' for social distancing. 

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He added: "The towpath has been insanely busy all day long.

"The surrounding streets are empty but the towpath is like a municipal running track. There’s no width for separation.

"There are people down here on 12-day isolation in a small space."

He urged people to 'jog elsewhere'.

Port Meadow has been suggested as a more suitable place to get out and about.

Other people have been spending their limited outdoor allowance at South Park in Oxford, where it is easier to stay distant from one another.

However, one neighbour said she had seen groups of people there today.

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Oxford Mail:

The government has banned gatherings of more than two people, unless they are members of the same household.

The resident, who asked not to be named, said: "There were several groups of people clearly not observing the new social distancing laws - what is it actually going to take for people to take this seriously?

"In all fairness I guess it could be student houses that all live together, but most of the students have gone home so possibly -possibly not."