River Thames enthusiasts have welcomed £1.3m of investment that will be used to improve facilities along the waterway in Oxfordshire.

The Environment Agency is splashing out to refurbish Godstow Lock, in Wolvercote, build new walkways at Benson Lock and to install hydraulic lock-operating equipment at Sandford Lock.

Maintenance work will also be carried out at Shifford Lock in Bampton, Rushey Lock, between Faringdon and Northmoor, and Days Lock in Abingdon.

River Thames Society vice-chairman Les Jones said: "It's great. The river has been under invested in for a number of years, so it's great to see the Environment Agency determined to catch up with the backlog.

"We have been campaigning for new investment to go in the River Thames for some time.

"We would hope this would be sustained for the next 50 years to ensure the infrastructure of the River Thames is maintained as there is a backlog of work to be done. "We just hope this will not result in a rise in the price of boat registration charges. That really would take the icing from the cake.

"I am a keen River Thames enthusiast. I and many others enjoy boating, walking and nature and the conservation of the Thames will safeguard these activities."

Colin Reynolds, a relief lock-keeper and chairman of the River Thames Society, said: "As an employee and from the River Thames Society, I am glad they have put this programme of maintenance into place.

"A lot of it is basic maintenance. What they are doing at Godstow is stopping the lock from falling apart. We have been saying for a long while that people need extra help after hours opening and shutting the gates at Sandford and so this hydraulic equipment should help.

"It will be a test pilot -- we will see if they are used properly or if scallywags leave the lock in a bad state." Work on Benson Lock started several weeks ago but the Environment Agency had to stop after they miscalculated the measurements for some of the materials required. They are set to finish the work in the near future.

Bob Mainwaring, Benson lock-keeper, said: "I'm glad they are investing in the lock, I'll be pleased when it's all done.

"The walkways are getting old and worn out so they are replacing them. Nothing on the river is ever straightforward; everything takes a lot longer as everything has to be transported by water."