ELECTRIC bollards along the canal have been suggested to create an ‘eco-mooring zone’ to reduce air pollution in the city.

City councillor Liz Wade has suggested the council’s cabinet adopt a similar scheme to one in London and seek funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Islington Borough Council pledged £30,000 - which has been matched by the Canal and River Trust - to install electric charging points along a heavily polluted stretch in the borough.

And the councillor said a similar move in Oxford move would improve air quality and community relations between boaters and land-based residents.

The council’s board member for a Clean and Green Oxford, John Tanner, said Islington won Defra funding because it was a ‘recognised air pollution hotspot’ - which Oxford Canal is not - but that discussions over the issue were ongoing.

He said: “Islington Borough Council received funding from Defra’s Air Quality Grant Scheme to introduce charging points for boats in order to reduce air pollution, in what was a recognised air pollution hot spot.

“We have no evidence to suggest that air quality limits are being breached or that boats are causing a statutory nuisance along the Oxford Canal due to the burning of fuel.

He added: “We have had on-going discussions with the Canal and River Trust about this issue for some time and these discussions continue.”

The scheme would allow boaters to top up their electricity and get electric power rather than diesel.

It has been criticised as not all boats can use the technology but a range of eco-zones are being considered in London.