OXFORD’S universities should let more local families use their world-class sporting facilities, according to city councillors.

Oxford City Council has called on Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University to open more doors to residents as public spending is squeezed.

The authority recently agreed a 6.7 per cent rise in charges at its sports facilities such as Oxford Ice Rink and Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre and said the universities had a role play.

But the universities, where facilities include state-of-the-art gyms, sports pitches, climbing walls and a running track, say the community is already given access to many of their sites.

Stuart Craft, the Independent Working Class Association councillor for Northfield Brookp, led a motion that was passed by all parties at the Labour-controlled council.

He said: “A mark of an institution’s commitment to social justice is not sending a few students on to council estates to do research projects, it’s their willingness to share facilities with working class neighbours.”

He added: “One thing that jumps out at me is the boat houses. I would like to see them used by primary school children to help educate them about the river.

“Down the line we could see someone from Blackbird Leys on the winning Boat Race crew.”

He added: “But first and foremost this is about opening up facilities to local youngsters who would not have them otherwise.”

He also called on the universities to publicise public facilities more.

Deputy council leader Ed Turner said its facilities were still affordable and added: “We can't have leisure centres on every corner."

Oxford University spokesman Matt Pickles said: “The swimming pool and gym at Iffley Road are fully open for community membership and the [Iffley Road] hockey pitch is available for community hire. Local state schools are given free use of the university pool from 9am to midday.”

He said the university was open to further discussions on community access but some facilities, including boathouses, were controlled by individual colleges.

He added: “If sports teams and clubs would like to hire college facilities when students and members are not using them, they should contact the college sports clubs directly and some arrangement may well be possible.”

Oxford Brookes University said it opened some facilities to the public.

cburatta@oxfordmail.co.uk