A controversial razor wire fence in a scenic canalside location could be adorned with artwork in a bid to appease residents and tourists.

The 11ft razor wire fence surrounding Castle Mill boatyard in Jericho could be "brightened up" by art, according to British Waterways, which erected the fence last month after evicting boaters from the site.

But city councillors last night backed Green councillor Sushila Dhall who called for the wire to be taken down.

British Waterways security measures have provoked outrage from people living nearby, the boating community and councillors.

The organisation has applied for planning permission to keep the fence in place for up to three years.

Last night the city council passed a motion from Ms Dhall, who dismissed the idea of decorating the fence.

She said: "We want the appearance improved, not by painting it but by taking off the razor wire and lowering the fence.

"It's been so depressing for the residents of the area. I have received an unprecedented number of phone calls.

"The boatyard site is on a popular and well used tourism route, which we have all worked to make attractive. Now it looks neglected, uninviting and fearsome.

"One tour guide has stopping doing tours through Jericho as he can't show people a working Victorian boatyard and this is taking trade away from the little shops in the area.

"This is an opportunity for British Waterways to work with us."

Wolvercote ward councillor Susan Roaf said: "This is an area where people ought to be able to quietly enjoy the canal and nature. It's a vicious fence."

Jericho and Osney councillor Susanna Pressel met British Waterways and approached a school on its behalf to ask if school children would get involved with artwork.

She said outside the meeting: "British Waterways thought it might be able to paint it dark green and get school children to paint beautiful designs on it. I warned them the fence was so controversial I doubted if anybody would want to be involved in beautifying it, especially when it doesn't have planning permission.

"The school didn't want to be associated with British Waterways and I doubt any Oxford artists will want to support them."

Eugene Baston, a British Waterways spokesman, said the organisation recognised something needed to be done.

He said: "The eviction was on May 31 and since June 1 we have been involved in improving the site. We have approached local schools and the community to see if they wanted to do artwork to brighten up the fence.

"If it wasn't for certain elements of the community who have threatened to reoccupy the site, we wouldn't have to have the razor wire fence up."

He said the artwork would be put up on the back fence to improve the view for tourists and passing boaters.

City councillors on the south west and central area committee will decide whether to grant planning permission for the fence on July 11.