Canal gets electric hook ups to cut boat pollution

Up to six boats will be able to plug in and connect to the electricity grid

Work to allow canal boats to plug into the electricity grid in Oxford is underway.

From the end of February up to six boats at a time will be able to turn off their engines when moored up at Aristotle Lane canal.

Oxford City Council said the scheme aimed to offer visiting boats an alternative to using diesel engines, generators and wood burners in order to reduce pollution and improve air quality.

Diversions will be in place on the towpath between Aristotle Lane and Walton Well Road while the work is carried out.

The council and the Canal and River Trust were awarded £193,000 from the government's annual air quality grant scheme to install the eco-moorings for visiting boats.

One of the sockets is powerful enough to charge electric propulsion boats (e-boats) which require more power than conventional boats.

The council said if there was an increase in demand for the sockets to be used by e-boats, all sockets could be converted to the more powerful 32-amp.

Restrictions on open fires and wood burners in Oxford were introduced across the city for residents and businesses on 1 December.

Oxford City Council can hand out fines of up to £300 for anyone found flouting the rules of the smoke control area (SCA).

Moored vessels/canal boats are exempt from the SCA rules.