RESIDENTS in Osney gave a heavy hint about the flood protection they want when they arranged for a flood barrier to be delivered from Scotland.

The temporary air-filled barrier was put in place next to the river in East Street to demonstrate its potential to save homes on the island from flooding.

The demonstration was organised as residents expressed disappointment in the city council's long-awaited investigation into the July floods.

Richard Thurston, of Osney Island Residents' Association, said he was unhappy that the council proposed to allocate only £50,000 for buying pumps, clearing ditches and buying sandbags.

He said: "The proposal to clear ditches in Wolvercote is welcome. But I'm far from convinced that the emphasis on purchasing more sandbags is sufficient."

The report calls for more regular and effective ditch clearing and a more accurate warning system.

The city council is to investigate the idea of creating a city 'flooding tsar', with a senior officer taking sole charge of all flood-related issues for the council.

The city will also be asking the Government to hand over £114,000 to meet the costs of the July floods.

Meanwhile, Osney residents are to press for a new three-pronged approach to combat flooding.

This would involve temporary barriers around blocks of homes and new pumps in the streets.

But they also say homes should be fitted with submersible pumps below floorboards, so water could be pumped out of homes.

Susanna Pressel, the city councillor for Osney and Jericho, said: "As usual the council report spends a lot of time analysing the last flood event and deciding how it could have been better handled. By far the most urgent thing is to reduce the risk of future flooding.

"But it is a relief to see an action plan at last more than four months after the July floods. There now needs to be a target date and officer's name next to each action proposed."