THE Oxford stream where 13-year-old Aown Dogar drowned is long overdue a clean-up, Oxford Food Alliance members have said.

Weirs Mill Stream, which flows under Weirs Lane in South Oxford, had “clearly been overlooked” for maintenance, the alliance revealed at its annual public meeting.

After getting a tip from residents, members arranged a boat trip along the stream earlier this year and it agreed it was in need of work.

Steering group member Adrian Porter told Thursday’s meeting: “Maintenance has clearly been overlooked in this area for some time.”

He said the Environment Agency was looking into arranging funding for it.

Cheney School pupil Aown drowned in the stream at the bottom of his friend’s garden while playing there after school in June.

Hinksey Stream at Cold Harbour was also in “desperate need” of maintenance, Mr Porter told the meeting. Network Rail was looking into the work.

On a more positive note, Mr Porter said that Oxford City Council’s plans to expand Seacourt Park and Ride with 600 new spaces could help reduce flood risk.

He said by “careful use of materials” the council could increase the water storage capacity of the area and make it even greater than a flood plain.

The alliance said it was also “pleased” with a new “pumped pipe” under Botley Road which can pump thousands of litres of water away every minute during floods, and underground water storage tanks at Waitrose on Botley Road.