BOATERS say high mooring costs on Oxford’s waterways are forcing them to squat along unclaimed canal banks in Jericho.

The Communities Land Organisation has occupied a 100-yard stretch of land alongside the Castle Mill Stream since June last year, with 10 boats and two rafts now moored there.

Residents have complained the area is becoming unsightly and authorities are set to meet today to find a way to move the group on.

But boater Edward Surridge warned the occupation would simply move to a different stretch of land downstream – near Abbey Road – if it was forced out through legal action.

He said: “We have gathered here because we are being excluded from other areas of the city – the mooring rates in Oxford are unaffordable to people on low incomes.

“What we want is a safe place for people to live aboard their boats, where we can start a more legitimate community.”

The boaters’ occupation centres on the argument that the land is “unregistered”, meaning its true ownership is not publicly known.

The Canal & River Trust has said it does not own the land, but is in talks with Network Rail – a possible owner – and Oxford City Council to find out who does.

Network Rail spokeswoman Victoria Bradley said: “We are fully aware of the concern in the local community, however land ownership is a complex area and in this case has not yet been resolved.

“The city council is working with a specialist to look into land ownership in this area and we have a meeting with them and the Canal & River Trust to discuss the findings, so that the matter can be progressed.”

Publisher Christopher Gasson, whose Abbey Road home backs on to the river bank of the Thames that boaters have suggested they could claim, said finding a solution needed to be fair on both sides.

The 48-year-old said: “You can see [the area around Castle Mill Stream] has deteriorated a lot, it is not getting any prettier.

“It would be good if they can come up with a comprehensive solution, because there has to be somewhere realistic for them to go.”