New partnership to shape future of city canal
A new partnership has been formed to help shape the future of the section of the Oxford Canal which runs through the historic city.
Led by The Waterways Trust, the Oxford City Canal Partnership (OCCP) aims to develop a cohesive plan for the canal and create a sustainable future for the waterway. The partnership will explore Oxford Canal’s leisure, environmental and heritage opportunities, community safety and access issues, the education and learning potential the waterway has to offer, and how the canal can contribute further to the local economy. Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust and Chairman of the OCCP, said: “The purpose of the partnership is to bring together the principal stakeholders with an interest in the Oxford Canal within the boundary of the City of Oxford. By working together we will promote a shared vision for the canal as an attraction and destination for tourists, an environmental resource, a focus for the community and a valuable resource which can contribute to economic life in the city.” In addition to prioritising improvements and other initiatives achievable in the short term, its aim is to secure funds to develop a strategic plan for the canal and to look at the possibility of reviving the waterways festival to attract more visitors to the waterway. Roger continued: “Initial areas to be considered by the plan include how the canal can be developed as a corridor to the city centre to encourage tourism, how to upgrade the environment of the canal to make it attractive and fit for tourism and to explore opportunities for public art.” The OCCP consists of representatives from: Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Oxford Civic Society, Foxcan, Oxford Preservation Trust, British Waterways, Jericho Community Association, Jericho Community Boatyard, Jericho Living Heritage Trust, Worcester College Oxford,, the Environment Agency, the Inland Waterways Association and The Waterways Trust.
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