I HAVE no objection to Oxford City Council displaying notices indicating that stretches of the towpath are closed due to flooding, or ice, providing the impassability is factual.

But at the end of January this was not the case in our immediate vicinity, a fact fairly obvious to those of us familiar with the territory or viewing the river from favourable spots.

Strangers approaching the river from certain directions would not have appreciated that at worst the water rose onto the ‘grass verge’ in a couple of places, and they could easily walk three abreast with no inconvenience – unlike that likely to be endured if they felt obliged to discover a suitable detour.

The council doubtless genuinely believed that greater inundation was a possibility, but this is no excuse for misinforming newcomers and visitors.

On the subject of signs, I am glad to note that those relating to public drinking now springing up are far more honest than the original ones in this city, in place for more than a decade, which conveyed the impression it is the consumption itself of alcohol which can incur a fine of up to £500 rather than failing to hand over the beverage to police when requested to do so.

Having approached the city council several years ago, I was unconvincingly informed that the actual law had been simplified as it was too complex for the intoxicated to grasp.

My concerns were not so readily dismissed when Andrew Smith MP contacted the Chief Constable and relevant minister on my behalf regarding this all too convenient inaccuracy.

The older, misleading notices still litter parts of Oxford, but many have faded or been defaced.

DAVID DIMENT, Riverside Court, Oxford