A NEW rowing lake could be created west of Oxford as part of the city’s £120m flood relief channel.

Oxford rowing and canoe club members have called for the new lake and the Environment Agency has said “all options are being looked at”.

Peter Travis, chairman of Falcon Rowing and Canoeing Club, drew a map showing how the long, thin lake could could created on the Green Belt flood plain” between the A34 and the and the railway – close to where the proposed channel would run..

He said his club, based at Donnington Bridge, has gained more members since the Olympics and needs new space to train.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said: “There’s space there to put in a whopping great training lake which could also be used as a balancing lake for the flood scheme.

“Sailing and kayaking is very big sport in Oxford and does need future-proofing – it strikes us that a training lake could serve two purposes.

“I am particularly interested to get a conversation going about this training lake to stretch along that rather rather dire piece of land between the A34 and the railway.”

The flood channel being proposed by the Environment Agency would run from north of Botley Road to near Sandford-on-Thames south of the city.

The EA is also looking to create a 50m area of lower ground either side of it which would take overflow flood water.

In the EA’s current plans, that area would be planted with marsh plants such as reeds.

Mr Travis is backing a rowing lake instead.

He said: “The EA has got together this £120m scheme and it seems a gorgeous opportunity to enhance Oxford as a centre for water-based sports.”

The EA and its partners in the scheme have met residents at five public consultation events and asked for their feedback.

Project director Joanna Larmour said: “All ideas, opportunities and issues suggested during the events are being looked at by the project team as the design for the scheme is developed.”