A KEY stretch of towpath in Oxford will be closed for six weeks while repairs are carried out.

Work started this week on the bank and surface of the Thames towpath between Folly Bridge and the Long Bridges boathouse just north of Donnington Bridge.

The towpath will be closed to all users between Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge while work is carried out by Oxfordshire County Council.

An alternative route will be in place via Abingdon Road and cyclists will be able to use the South Oxford cycle route via Wytham Street and Marlborough Road.

Councillor Roger Belson, the county council's member for sustainable development, said: "The towpath has deteriorated significantly over the last few years. These repairs are essential to maintain the integrity of the Thames towpath."

The county council is funding the project, but the city council has made a contribution towards the resurfacing of the path.

If there is adequate funding available, further work is planned for next year on the towpath south of Long Bridges. The work is scheduled to take six weeks.

The city council is also hoping to receive £3m in Lottery money to improve almost ten miles of river and canal towpaths in and around the city.

People who use towpaths have faced disruption in recent months, including the closure of a ramp from Walton Well Road in Oxford and the closure of the Oxford Canal towpath in Kidlington in January. Last year, people faced diversions around Osney Island as the Environment Agency closed a footbridge near the lock.