Vandals at Port Meadow are reason for new fence

Oxford City Council will build a 3ft-high green mesh fence near the boats in the beauty spot to stop antisocial behaviour like ‘vandalism and littering’.

It said that, in the summer, groups congregated at the boardwalk area close to Bossom’s Boatyard, to have barbecues which set fire to the grass verges and were a ‘danger’ to wildlife.

According the council, there have also been several ‘criminal incidents’ with the boats moored at the marina – which could be stopped with a private fencing that only the council, staff or boat owners can unlock.

The walkway where the fence will be installed at Port Meadow. Picture by Pete Hughes

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In the winter, the wooden plank walkway also gets muddy and slippery and the council’s insurance company has now advised that ‘stricter measures’ are needed to stop ‘risks’.

But daily walkers at the park say the fence will take away from the openness of the meadow – the very thing it is famous for.

They also say closing off the Broadwalk will make the north part of the meadow completely inaccessible when the park is flooded – like is it at the moment.

Councillor Susanna Pressel shared the council documents with her constituents saying the plans were ‘regrettable’.

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Adrian James, who walks at the park and lives nearby, said: “It seems such a shame, I don’t understand the need for a lockable gate.

“It’s the only way to the other side of the meadow when it is flooded and with locked gates it will make it very hard to get there.

“It is just a shame to close it off when it is used and limit the use of the top of the meadow as a result.”

The council's own proposal documents include a photo of teenagers sitting on the walkway by the boats in the summer.

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Mr James added: “The photograph shows people sitting on the boardwalk and is presumably meant to illustrate the anti-social behaviour referenced as a problem.

"It seems to illustrate exactly the opposite: this is social behaviour, a group of people harmlessly socialising and using the boardwalk as it should be used.

“It is the council’s plans to close off the boardwalk which is anti-social.”

Tom Bridgman, executive director of development at Oxford City Council said: “The installation of the fence is necessary to ensure the boardwalk is only used by those who are authorised to access it - boat owners and the yard – and is part of a plan to improve the safety of Port Meadow for all.

"With no fencing, handrail, or separation from the meadow, the boardwalk is susceptible to damage and vandalism, and can become slippery or flooded.

“The installation of the fencing on the boardwalk will not impact of the openness of Port Meadow, and the fencing will not restrict access to the meadow for anyone who wishes to visit.

"Boaters will still be able to moor the site, and access the meadow using access points along the fence.”

The building of the fence, delayed by flooding, is due to continue this month.

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