CYCLISTS will be encouraged to use a city centre towpath more often thanks to a £200,000 cash boost, campaigners have said.

The 1,100m stretch of the Oxford Canal towpath near Jericho is to be upgraded with Government cash this year.

Campaigners said cyclists had been put off using the bumpy path on the canal’s west side from Walton Well Road to Elizabeth Jennings Way.

Richard Mann, of Oatlands Road, who is vice chairman of cycling campaign group Cyclox, said: “It is great news and will encourage people to take up cycling. It is a useful and pleasant route that avoids all the traffic going from the station to North Oxford.”

The towpath was upgraded between Isis Lock and Walton Well Road in 2010 with £150,000 of Oxfordshire County Council cash.

Oxford City Council member Susanna Pressel, who has called for the latest upgrade, welcomed the news.

The West Central Oxford Labour councillor said: “It is so unpleasant at the moment, it puts cyclists off. To have it that much smoother would be a great advantage, people will be so happy to see it done.

“It is going to get people out of their car and on to bikes.

“It is a big step forward.”

British Waterways applied for the cash with the city council. The company’s regeneration manager James Clifton said work will take place in the autumn and the path will be constructed with asphalt and ground chippings to blend into the surrounding area.

He said: “It will make it much easier and safer for walkers and cyclists.”

The project was one of 68 worth £30m announced by the Government this week that are aimed at pedestrians and cyclists.

As reported by the Oxford Mail on Wednesday, a £137,000 Oxford railway station project for extra CCTV, cycle hire facilities and pumps will also get cash.

Transport minister Norman Baker said: “I know these plans will be hugely beneficial to communities and cyclists up and down Britian. They will also help to create jobs and reduce our carbon footprint.”