Boat Owners On Norfolk Broads Taken to Court Over Toll Charges
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- Опубліковано 14 бер 2023
- Boat Owners on Norfolk Broads Area Taken to Court Over Toll Charges.
Boat owners in the Norfolk broad area have recently been taken to court over toll charges, causing quite a stir in the local community. The Norfolk Broads, located in East Anglia, England, are a popular destination for boating enthusiasts. The broad Authority, which manages the waterways in the area, has been enforcing the toll charges, claiming that they are necessary to fund essential maintenance and conservation work. However, boat owners have argued that the recent 13% increase in the 2023 toll charges is unfair, and the authority has not been transparent about how the funds are being used.
Boat tolls in one form or another on the Norfolk broads have a long and complex history, dating back to the 19th century when they were first introduced to fund the construction of new waterways and bridges in the area. Since then, the tolls have been used to fund various maintenance and conservation work, as well as to manage the waterways and promote boating tourism in the area. Over the years, the Norfolk broads toll charges have been increased regularly, ranging from justifications such as climate change. However, many boat owners disagree, claiming that these toll fees are adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living crisis and the needs of the local community. Furthermore, there has always been a contentious issue with boat owners arguing that they were unfairly targeted during the Covid-19 pandemic, that the current charges are too high, and that the system is outdated and should be based on a pro-rata system.
Currently, boat owners on the Norfolk broads are required to pay an annual toll charge, which varies depending on the size and type of their vessel. Charges range from £42 for a small rowing boat to £1,316 for a large Cruiser. The Broads Authority has defended the toll charges, stating that they are necessary to fund the ongoing maintenance and conservation work needed to keep the waterways in good condition. They have also stated that the charges are in line with those in other similar waterway areas, such as the River Thames and River Avon. However, boat owners have disputed these claims, arguing that the charges are too excessive and are not being used effectively to maintain and improve the waterways. They have also criticized the lack of transparency in how the funds are being used and have called for more accountability from the Broads Authority.
The boat tolls on the Norfolk broads have had a significant impact on the local boating community. Boat owners have expressed frustration and anger over the charges, with some even opting to sell their vessels or take them out of the area altogether. In addition to the financial burden of the toll charges, boat owners have also criticized the lack of facilities and services provided by the broads Authority, such as the limited number of public moorings, recycling and waste disposal, and the shortage of water and electric facilities. Furthermore, the toll charges have also had an impact on the local economy, with some businesses reporting a decline in tourism and trade due to the high charges and negative publicity surrounding the issue. #Norfolk #Broads
I want my tolls to only go to maintenance and improvements not to fund projects, visitor centres, signs and ecological schemes. It’s what it’s for to maintain water navigation and to fund new and improve moorings. Just make sure it goes where it’s needed.
I totally agree. Tolls should go to navigation only.
Even the cutting down of trees should be down to the landowners, not BA staff doing that with boat tolls funding. That is a landowner's responsibility.
Farmers are seen to trim their own hedgerows and keep pavements and roads clear, so on the waterways...it should be the same.
As far as public moorings go, well the BA just can't seem to hold on to them. That's not a criticism but am observation.
Yet again it is down to the landowners. If they want to have moorings and charge folks a fiver a night? Fair play to them.
Boat tolls should be for keeping the water clear for navigation and nothing else.
I stopped using the rivers years ago when the broads authority raised my toll to 700 pounds. I've had a reminder for renewal for this year's toll as they still keep sending them to me though I don't use the river anymore. £1000 they want for this year's toll.... Ha dream on ba, when I see I'm getting vfm I may come back, and as for transparency good luck with that. A pro rata system would be good to have and would help alot of people but ba just won't budge on this issue. How can it be fair to use the river for a month but have to pay for twelve.... Absolutely daylight robbery!!
Great video. I'd love to see an accurate breakdown of what my toll gets me. Have a small Pegasus 800 sailing yacht and this year they have demanded £340. I pay upwards of £2000 per year to keep my boat at a marina. I do not speed thus do not need to use up the time of the rangers. I pay my fishing licence to make use of the waterways in that aspect. I probably pass through Reedham Swing Bridge about 4 times per year. I don't need the assistance of rangers when mooring. It's almost like us boat owners are paying to have the tourists babysat. This is nothing against them, I was a tourist on the broads once and loved it. I got waved to slow down, rangers helped with mooring etc. But should us experienced boaters be forking out for services that we do not use? Transparency on what they take in and where it goes would be amazing.
Lol transparency at the BA. Good luck with that.
I was one of those that sold there boat, let me be clear it was not that I couldn’t afford it but in two years I only got moored on two ba 24 hour moorings one of them twice so we bought a inflatable dingy and electric outboards so we could wild moor then got charged for the privilege obviously, we never use ba water pipes or shower blocks so I have two sad children that miss the broads greatly, I’ve been going on boats all my life but the lack of moorings over the years the size of hire boats and the amount of time I’ve repaired damage to several of our boats is wearing thin, all so when we did get hit the ‘ranger’ did nothing saying the drunk lads said you hit them, so it’s with a very sad upsetting decision not to spend any time or money on or in the Broadland area anymore I’ll take the kids to the Sun instead much better value nowadays
Thank you for sharing that post. I know from my own experience that what you described is very true.
You may not be surprised to learn that now Ranworth moorings cost £10 per night.
It's unbelievable what is happening here and I really do feel for those people who treasure this place... possibly since childhood.
In addition, I have noticed a record amount of boats coming out on to dry standing. The Broads Authority along with certain companies have ruined this place.
I think the tolls should offer more availability, especially the mooring only 24 hrs that's ridiculous, it should be like the canals, we pay £800 and odd pound a year for our tolls.😣
13%?!!! Ouch!
Exactement
The toll for my boat on the great Ouse is just over £600 this year and they want more,it’s disgusting how much it goes up each year especially as the great Ouse is often unuseable due to broken locks,silt build up,fallen trees in the river and too often strong stream warnings when no one can use the river,there is also a total lack of info on how the money is spent
I am sure most boat owners don't have an issue contributing to the welfare of the waterways, however, the financial burden should not be solely placed on the shoulders of boat owners.
During the COVID pandemic, people weren't even allowed anywhere near their boats, let alone being permitted to use them...yet the Broads Authority demanded full tolls....it's just wrong
@@NorfolkBroadsForum yep the environment agency were just like the Ba,no reductions in price
I am buying a live aboard broads cruiser next month to live on, it's in London at the moment and I was going to transport it back here to the broads. Would or could anyone recommend a better river system to live on than the Norfolk broads? Thanx.
Your in the perfect river system in London that's where we want to go, we are on a live aboard 44ft x 12 on the Norfolk broads want to swap?.
It's money for top nobs truth been know😮
Waste money nooo. They paid a consultancy firm hundreds of thousands of pounds to advise on pollution and flooding on the broads .Some spotty graduate from the firm piped up and said the pig farm near Norwich all its pig slurry was going directly into the river and if we can stop the farmer raising pigs that would be splendid.He trotted off forgive the pun met said farmer organised a agreeable cheque of compensation to stop farming pigs ( a few million quid ) and all was well .Well a few weeks later they realised pigs were still being raised on said field and went to pay a visit.Where is Mr so and so and who are you .I am the owner of the land Mr so and so rented of me . and disappeared abroad so I have taken over he gave me the pigs actually .nice chap …
my mate lived on a boat for 10 yrs he used to say all that money saved in rent and bills then I used to think the price of my house has gone up 117 grand in ten years 😂boats only ever loose money houses always go up in value.had he of saved his money up for a deposit on a house why he staying on his boat I could of seen the point in it but he’s still got no money 😂
Don't forget houses also go down in value as after all if you are not leveraging and have a mortgage (which means death pledge) then you are quite simply working for the bank. The simple beauty of living on a boat financially is to bring all fiscal fees in to proper perspective
@@NorfolkBroadsForum even if you have a mortgage the interest rates are low compared to river tax insurance and mooring fees.I brought my house in 20011 87k it’s now worth 224k decent bit of profit I’d say in 13yrs for doing nothing you any getting that back on a boat
Having paid off our mortgage and yes I have worked since I was 15 and retired at 63 it is worth doing, peace of mind when you retire is a good thing. We had our own boat and although I personally did not want to sell it at the time , I am glad we did and we now hire. Sorry we are one of those dreadful tourists, except I live locally on the Broads.