WORK has started on a major conservation operation to open the eight-acre Wolvercote Lakes site to the public.

The first stage of the project, which is funded by a £70,000 Grantscape award, involves a team of workmen cutting back rotten trees, clearing away dead vegetation and tackling the overgrown paths.

The lakes and surrounding land that run alongside the canal and railway between Lower and Upper Wolvercote were bequeathed to Oxford Preservation Trust by Viv Kirk seven years ago.

Before his death Mr Kirk approached the trust to discuss the future of the lakes, although the charity was unaware then that he had bequeathed it the site.

The manmade water features were owned by his family for two generations and Mr Kirk was a well-known character in Wolvercote, famous for his array of traction engines and popular with the sportsmen who he allowed to fish the lakes.

Now his generous gift to the community will be open to the public in spring next year.

Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said: “The first tranche of work is the tree thinning to open up the site.

“There’s also work to promote the biodiversity of the site and health and safety work. The contractors will be removing a large amount of non-native vegetation that will be replaced with native trees and plants.

“Later there will be bridges over to the islands and work on paths.

“We are doing this work over the winter when we’ve got a window of opportunity, because once the spring comes the birds will be nesting.

“It’s exciting to see it all moving ahead.”

Eluned Hallas, of Oxford Preservation Trust said: “It is good to see our plans taking shape and we are looking forward to giving better access to this special place.”

Steve Lunn, whose garden in Rosamund Road backs on to the site, said: “I used to fish in the lakes when I first came to Wolvercote 25 years ago.

“For a long time it was in limbo and we were very pleased when Oxford Preservation Trust got the site.

“They’ve had open days and asked people what they wanted and I think from what I’ve seen of the plans drawn up it reflects pretty much everything people wanted. It’s lovely to see that the second lake is going to be an undisturbed nature reserve”