METAL fencing cordoning off an area of Oxford towpath undergoing repair work has been cut and torn down, less than week after it was put up.

Oxfordshire County Council has paid for work to be carried out to the southern navigation channel bridge arch at Folly Bridge and along a section of the failed riverbank there.

Work started last Monday, but by the weekend metal barriers had been twisted and torn down by Sunday.

Jeannie Turner, who pictured the wrecked barriers, said: “It makes me so angry that (contractors) are working hard there for the safety of others and the barriers been damaged.”

Work will be carried out through the autumn. That will include work to a narrow channel through the arch before it is completed in October.

The Environmental Agency’s website states: “The main northern, right navigation channel and arch remain open to navigation in the normal way.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this closure causes and thank you for your patience during this time.”

In May, a section of the riverbank failed and a large piece of concrete fell into the river. It lay two feet beneath the river water.

Oxfordshire County Council press office Martin Crabtree said: “The damage occurred over the weekend and Bank Holiday where someone has cut holes to get the Heras fencing panels.

He added: “All the damaged panels have been replaced.”