A scheme to restore Oxford’s reputation as a city of waterways has been launched with work to transform the ‘gateway to Oxford Canal’.

Proposals to clean up the city’s streams, with the creation of waterside parks and wildlife corridors, form a key part of the multi-million scheme to regenerate the West End of the city.

With key elements of the West End regeneration such as the Westgate redevelopment put on hold because of the economic downturn, the West End Partnership and British Waterways are moving ahead with plans to clear waterway areas, now viewed by many as no-go areas.

The first area to be tackled is a stretch of Oxford Canal running from Hythe Bridge Street.

The £25,000 project will create a ‘pocket park’ with an overgrown area behind Worcester College cleared and trees in danger of collapse removed. The improvements will also see the end of the canal dredged, new trees planted and street furniture replaced.

An Oxford City Canal Partnership has been created to improve the canal and instigate further improvements.

Bob Price, leader of the city council, said the aim would be to make the city’s main waterways more accessible.

He said: “These improvement works will make the Hythe Bridge pocket park a welcoming and attractive place in which to spend time, furthering the aims of the Oxford West End Renaissance."