Improvements to some of Oxford's crumbling and decrepit towpaths will not be carried out because work would be too "onerous" and expensive.

A list of recommended work has been drawn up, including at a stretch of riverbank close to where teenager Ben Halsey-Jones is believed to have fallen into the River Thames and drowned last year. But widening towpaths, reinforcing some eroding banks, raising sections that flood frequently and ensuring paths are free from loose material is among work that is not supported by experts from Oxfordshire county and Oxford city councils.

"City council officers do not support the recommendation as the issues are too onerous", part of a Thames towpath risk assessment report concludes.

Also in the report, due to be considered on Monday, experts have dismissed a proposal to put up extra warning signs during times of imminent flooding as too expensive.

One councillor has said he will not be fobbed off by suggestions work would be too onerous, although the Environment Agency has admitted it would also object to certain changes which would reduce the size of the flood plain.

Work has started on repairing the bank at Fiddler's Island, near where 15-year-old Cherwell School pupil Ben was cycling with friends in January. A joint £400,000 project is now under way to repair parts of the towpath.

But experts said other work, including raising the towpath above the flood plain would "divert flooding to another area" and cause more problems than it solved.

Ben's body was found at Tumbling Bay, Botley, almost a month after he drowned in freezing waters.

Sid Phelps, chairman of the city council's environment scrutiny committee, said: "The wheels of local government turn slowly and I am frustrated at the lack of progress. When we have got an action plan we need to progress it.

"If there are real technical or financial reasons why work cannot be done then I will listen, but I am not happy being fobbed off because it's 'too onerous'."

Experts said closing the towpath "was not a viable option" in the event of flooding. However, they have agreed to embark on a programme to educate schoolchildren about the perils of riverbanks.

City councillor Jean Fooks, who is responsible for towpath maintenance, said: "Raising (the towpath at Fiddler's Island) would not make the slightest difference.

"The accident was not anything to do with the towpath, it was not a good place to be in the dark. It was a ghastly accident, but he really should not have been there."

An Environment Agency spokesman added: "While we would support work to reinstate eroded banks for health and safety reasons, we would always object to bank raising work as this could increase flood risk in other areas."

AFTER the Ben Halsey-Jones tragedy earlier this year, debate raged as to which authority was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the city's miles of towpath.

In truth, it was a joint effort and work has started on some remedial work.

But there is still more to be done to tackle towpath dangers. Among recommendations in the risk assessment report being considered today is the idea of appointing a 'towpath tzar' who would be responsible for riverside walks in the city.

RISK ASSESSMENT: The executive board will todaybe asked to give its thumbs-up to the recommendations made in the risk assessment. A number of "engineering solutions" rejected by officers include: Widening towpaths to reduce conflict between users; The path to run at least a metre from the water's edge; Ensuring paths are level and free from loose material;A long-term objective to raise any towpath which historically floods.

Ideas backed by city council officers include:Warning signs at all access points; City and county councils working together towards a safety first message to schools; The temporary fence line from Rainbow Bridge to near Fiddlers Island to remain until towpath repairs are completed.