Plans for an £800,000 improvement scheme for three miles of canal towpath in Oxford are to go on public display.

During the next five to seven years, British Waterways will improve the stretch of canal between Isis Lock and the A44 in north Oxford. Details will be on display at the St Ebbes planning department in Oxford on March 1 and March 6, between 3pm and 5pm.

The improvements will follow £100,000 of environmental work now under way between Walton Well Road and Frenchay Road.

Simon Ainley, waterway manager for the Oxford Canal, will be available to discuss the plans, which have been developed after local consultation.

He said: "These plans aim to balance the interests of all the different users of the canal visiting boaters, people living on boats, anglers, walkers and local residents with the protection of the waterway environment and wildlife, including the canal's important water vole population.

"In developing these plans, British Waterways has considered a huge range of issues and consulted extensively with groups including local residents, local authorities, waterway users and wildlife experts."

Proposals include six mooring lengths of canal bank for residential boats. Plans were submitted to Oxford City Council in January.

The scheme also sets aside 1,300 metres of mooring sites for visiting boats and 1,600 metres as 'no mooring zones' to enhance the canal's wildlife habitat.