Canal users are facing a winter of disruption as stretches of the Oxford Canal undergo massive restoration work.

Boaters, anglers, cyclists and walkers face disruption as stretches of the Oxford Canal at Shipton-on-Cherwell, near Kidlington, are drained for specialist work as part of British Waterways' £24m maintenance programme for the UK's canals.

More than half of the cash will be spent on urgent safety repairs.

Major work has also closed the River Thames to boats in Oxford while the Environment Agency repairs Osney Lock. British Waterways spokesman Fiona Macnish said: "We hope people are not going to be seriously affected by the work. In order to minimise disruption, it is being carried out in winter when there are not so many people using the canal."

Simon Ainley, waterway manager for the Oxford Canal, said: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to unlocking the potential of the canal network."

Every winter, British Waterways, which cares for the country's 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, carries out repair and conservation works nationwide. Specialist skills handed down over generations of canal workers are used to ensure the canals are maintained in the way they were originally built.

Careful consideration is also given to the plants and animals living in and around the canals.

Ecologists work closely with engineers to ensure rare and protected species remain undisturbed.

Some species, if thought to be in danger, are moved to temporary homes during the work.

The canal at Shipton-on-Cherwell was due to re-open today, although work will start on another stretch further along at Bakers Lock. It is hoped all works in Oxfordshire will be finished by March.

The work at Osney Lock created a row when the agency shut the towpath, used by many workers to get to the Osney Mead industrial estate, without warning.

After complaints, the agency agreed to keep the path open most of the time while the work, scheduled to last until February, is carried out.

Story date: Friday 10 December

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