THE proposed £120m flood channel through Oxford has been delayed after a top government department blocked a consultation on the plans.

The Environment Agency had hoped to launch its final public consultation on the four-mile channel - from Seacourt Park and Ride to Sandford Lock - yesterday.

But Cabinet Office interference prevented the launch and the event will now take place after the General Election on June 20.

Instead an updated plan of the proposed route was shown to residents, who welcomed the progress made since the last display almost a year ago.

Anne Richards, who lives in Cripley Road, was pleased with the plans as her son-in-law Charlie Gee owns pick-your-own fruit farm Medley Manor in Binsey.

The 75-year-old said flooding had caused the farm serious problems in recent years.

She said: “I’m very pleased they have made such good progress on this channel, I’ve fortunately never been flooded but my daughter Rachel and her husband have on their farm.

“They ended up taking the children to school on a tractor at one point but the farm has been hit badly by flooding in recent years so I hope this is the solution.”

In February the EA revealed it had ‘identified’ sources for all £120m needed for the scheme despite Oxfordshire Growth Board becoming concerned there was a £10m gap in funding and no new money pumped into the scheme for 18 months.

Employees from the organisation were unable to speak to the Oxford Mail but members of the public were told funding remains ‘a challenge’.

Ray Cantwell, from Botley, said he was told the money was ‘nearly’ there.

He said: “One of them said they were quite near when it comes to the funding and from the timeline and the progress they have made so far I would expect the project will be completed.

“I was concerned about the channel going through Hinksey Meadow because I like walking through there.

“But it seems they have moved it slightly to the west now and improved the access, so I’m pleased.”

Before being stopped, Peter Collins, operations manager for the West Thames, said: “It’s not a consultation at this stage because of the pre-election period but it’s about sharing information with the public about where we are with the channel.”

In June options for bridges, cycle paths and signs will be revealed.