Residents on Oxford's Osney Island are demanding a ferry to help them bypass a closed bridge linking two sections of the Thames Path.

Tony Roberts is leading the campaign for a ferry

At the start of the month, the Environment Agency closed the footbridge at Osney Lock to carry out three months of repairs, costing £350,000.

The lock will remain open while the repairs are done, but the work is not due to finish until mid-December and residents say they are being inconvenienced for far too long.

As well as forming part of the Thames Path, the bridge links the Osney Mead industrial estate to Osney Island.

Walkers on the towpath are now being diverted through the industrial estate and along Ferry Hinksey Road to rejoin the river path at Botley Road.

Regulars at The Waterman's Arms, in South Street, have also been opposed to the closure, with landlord Henry Dean complaining the diversion is harming his trade.

Osney Island Residents' Association member Tony Roberts, 68, of South Street, said: "The Thames Path is a national trail and we think the Environment Agency should provide a ferry, because the path is being closed for so long.

"We're not convinced residents were properly consulted about this either.

"I know a notice went in The Oxford Times about the closure, but I suspect some of the closure notices that were supposed to go up on lamp-posts did not go up in time.

"If the Environment Agency could provide a landing stage then the residents' association could run the ferry itself.

"A ferry was provided in 1997 when the Rainbow bridge near Port Meadow was closed and I think it would be the ideal solution here too."

Mr Roberts has written to the Environment Agency's project manager Valerie Stephens, requesting a ferry, but she said it would not be possible.

In an e-mail, she wrote: "At an early stage in the project the possibility of a ferry was discussed, but it was felt that the health and safety implications would not make this viable.

"There will be heavy piling plant, cranes and barges in the area. There are significant liabilities in transporting people across water and the provision of safe access for embarking and disembarking."

The agency's Thames Waterways manager, Eileen McKeever, added: "While we're sympathetic to these requests and the inconvenience caused, the expenditure involved in providing a ferry service is not justifiable, given there's already a suitable and relatively short diversion in place.

"Not only would we need to hire a boat but we would also need to provide staff to man the vessel for approximately 12 hours.

"Furthermore, if a passenger were to miss a ferry, it would actually take less time to use the diversion than to wait for the ferry to complete two crossings and load and unload passengers."

Work on the bridge is being carried out after a structural survey revealed that major repair work was needed or the bridge would have to close permanently.

Staff are replacing the north span and repairing the south span.

The repaired bridge will resemble the old grey one, so the agency has not had to apply for planning permission.