FOR the third time this winter, the Environment Agency have put a Flood Watch on rivers and streams around Oxford and prospects for the immediate future look bleak.

Meanwhile, a proposal to build a flood relief channel around Oxford has been put on the back burner.

The channel would have followed the route of the Seacourt and Hinksey Streams from the Botley Road to Sandford and in places would have merged with the Seacourt, but it is now on hold as the risk of flooding in Oxford does not meet DEFRA criteria.

Since the summer floods of 2007, a fair amount of work has been done to reduce the flood risk and I understand that local residents’ groups will be pushing for this to continue.

The work has not affected the fishing on the Bullstake or Seacourt streams. In fact both look in really good nick, with plenty of flow which hopefully will halt the silting up problems.

The rivers and streams around Oxford have been neglected for too long.

l North Oxford AS have halved the cost of their cards from January to the end of the season.

Senior tickets now cost £10 and juniors/OAPs £5, available from local tackle shops or A Crisp, 4 Grove Street, Summertown, Oxford. OX2 7JT.

Meanwhile, North Oxford’s annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 16 at the Plough, Wolvercote (8pm).

l Terry Yates, who fishes for Oxford Bus AC, has warned anglers to be on their mettle after one of their members, who lives at Minchery Farm, had all his fishing tackle stolen from his garage.

l IF you have any news, views or photos, contact me on 01865 725606 or email me at agw@ awebber20.orangehome.co.uk