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free newsletter FEB 2021 No. 39
BROAD SHEET
Looking towards a better 2021
As we are writing this edition of Broad Sheet, the UK is in the midst of a third national lockdown and most
activities in the Broads have been curtailed following continued Government instructions to stay at home.
As you will be aware, this has been the emptiness of eerily-quiet rivers has provide a high-level of service to our
case for the majority of last year, with been an unfortunate sight, it has been stakeholders.
the exception of a very condensed and a welcome reminder of the unity and
For the Authority, 2021 presents some
busy summer season. We welcomed patience exhibited by our toll payers as
new opportunities, including a new
an influx of new visitors to the area, they have eagerly awaited the chance
package of measures to improve the
including those who had never been to safely return back onto the water.
safety of our visitors, the re-opening
paddling or set foot on a boat before.
I would like to express my heartfelt of our tourist information centre at
This surge in activity over the summer gratitude to all who have played their Ranworth, and most of all the well-
months was very positive for our part in helping to reduce incidents overdue return of boaters, paddlers,
colleagues within the tourism industry. on the water, curb the spread of the anglers and everyone else to our
However, it also brought a number of disease and ultimately protect the NHS beautiful waterways.
challenges for our staff including litter during these difficult months.
Please look after yourselves in the
problems at beauty spots, incidents
Despite the challenges of the past meantime and we look forward to
of antisocial behaviour, and most
year, we have made significant welcoming you back soon. I hope
significantly the tragic string of fatal
progress in a number of areas. you enjoy this newsletter and please
accidents which occurred during
Our programme of maintenance remember you can get in touch with
the summer.
and improvements to moorings, us through our website if you have any
However, during periods of paths and other infrastructure has questions.
Government-imposed restrictions, continued throughout the entirety
John Packman
the response from the vast majority of the pandemic, and our office staff
Chief Executive - Broads Authority
of our boat owners and visitors to the have shifted to a new way of working
area has been exceptional. While the that means we can continue to
Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY | 01603 610734 | broads@broads-authority.gov.uk | www.broads-authority.gov.uk
2
Celebrating
World Ranger Day
Saving wildlife, herding deer
across the river, rescuing tourists
and tackling invasive plants –
it’s all in a day’s work for our
Rangers.
During World Ranger Day (31
July) the Authority joined in global
celebrations to recognise the great
work of our Rangers, who look after
the 125 miles waterways and help
visitors to stay safe.
Last year (between June 2019 and
June 2020) Broads Control, who
handle calls from the public, dealt
with 34,599 calls, which Rangers
often responded to, including:
• 16 people reported to have fallen
in the water,
• 15 sunken or abandoned vessels
(dealt with by the Authority),
• 20 pollution reports investigated,
• 27 reported injuries and illnesses
(including broken bones,
dislocations, cuts & bruises,
head injuries and medical
emergencies),
Managing trees to improve navigation • 61 fallen trees,
• 93 hazards to navigation
In October, the Authority resumed The additional purchase of new
removed from the river.
its annual programme of riverside sections of floating pontoon has
tree and scrub management, which enabled this complex operation greater But there is more to the role than
runs until the end of February. flexibility to manoeuvre into once- just cruising along patrolling the
inaccessible riverside locations. water. Most Rangers start at the
The total length of trees managed this Authority with a good knowledge
winter is 3,548 m – around the length Locations of this season’s works
of the Broads but then need to
of 71 Olympic swimming pools. This programme include sections of
build up their expertise on nature
is over 500 m more than was cleared Belaugh, heading upstream to
conservation, first aid, radio use,
last year. Their removal will result in Coltishall; along Fleet Dyke on the
boat handling, how to respond to
navigation improvements for boaters, upper Bure; upstream of Barton Broad
pollution incidents, and countryside
particularly on river bends and narrow to Stalham on the Ant; upstream of
management.
channels. Potter Heigham Bridge and along
Catfield Dyke on the Thurne; upstream The landscape of the Broads
The work requires a detailed survey of Beccles Lido, and Slutton’s Dyke on requires constant maintenance
beforehand to ensure that navigation the Waveney; near Bargate Broad at and conservation work. While the
improvements are balanced with Brundall and upstream from the A47 summer is busy keeping visitors
maintaining a healthy riverside bridge on the Yare. safe, in winter Rangers manage the
ecosystem. countryside sites around the water.
For further information and maps of
The efficiency of tree management This includes tackling invasive plants,
management locations visit:
has improved over the last few years riverbank surveys of trees and
www.broads-authority.gov.uk/trees vegetation and carrying out surgery
following the purchase of mechanised
tree shears that are operated by an at the top of giant trees, where
excavator on a floating pontoon. necessary.
3
Photo taken pre COVID-19
Navigation improvements on the Broads
Ordinarily, the Authority’s additional Rangers and produce new before their holiday.
navigation expenditure is safety videos. A further £120,000
Each year, a small number of private
sourced from tolls paid for the the following year will support the
boat owners delay payment of their
12,000 boats used on the Broads higher level of patrolling, which will be
tolls until they receive a final letter
waterways. In light of an increase reviewed at the end of the
threatening prosecution. For these
in accidents last year and with 2022 season.
individuals, a first and final letter will
safety a priority as we anticipate A new Senior Ranger is working on be sent.
a very busy tourism season, Compliance and Safety to follow up on
The 4% increase in tolls from now on
members of the Authority agreed prosecutions and compliance with the
will see two-thirds of all private boats
to fund a package of safety Boat Safety Scheme. This will free up
pay less than an extra £10 per year.
measures including on-line training time spent by Rangers preparing case
A typical unpowered dingy will pay
videos for hirers and increased files for offences such as speeding and
an extra £1.40 and a small motor boat
Ranger patrols of the waterways. non-payment of tolls.
£2.80. A popular sized sailing boat
To maintain the existing level of service In addition, four new Assistant (11 m2) will pay an extra £3.74 and a
together with the new safety measures, Seasonal Rangers will maximise launch private motor boat (38 m2) £21.28.
an increase of 7% in tolls was required. presence during the peak visitor
The Broads Authority is the only
The Authority requested to use the season, allowing Rangers to help new
major inland navigation authority
‘National Park Grant’ reserves for safety and experienced visitors.
usually entirely dependent on income
initiatives and DEFRA authorised this In cooperation with the Broads Hire from tolls to fund maintenance of the
exceptional one-off transfer. With that Boat Federation, the new safety videos navigation.
assistance the decision was taken to are designed to help new hirers and
All toll charges can be found at:
increase tolls by 4% in 2021. new private boat owners get the most
out of their time on the Broads. Hirers broads-authority.gov.uk/annual-toll
This year £130,000 of National Park
funding will be used to employ will be emailed a link to the videos
4
Third and final stage at Hickling
This winter saw the return of the Authority’s Construction and
Maintenance Team to Hickling Broad for the third and final phase of
the EU Interreg-funded CANAPE project. This three-year project uses
dredged sediment to restore one hectare of reedbed habitat.
In 2018/19, the outer boundary of mats will be placed onto the top
reedbed known as Chara Bay was of the lagoon edge to start the
created using geotextile tubes in reed growing process. Over time,
an oval shape with an open water the planted reeds will thicken and
lagoon inside. spread into the interior. The final
reedbed habitat will become a haven
Last autumn/winter the lagoon area
for biodiversity and lock in carbon as
started to be filled with dredged
peat slowly accumulates in the area.
sediment. These works will continue
this winter until the end of March or CANAPE is an EU project involving
once Chara Bay is full of sediment. 14 partners across 5 countries and
Norfolk Wildlife Trust who own and
Furthermore, a mixture of reed
manage Hickling Broad.
rhizomes and pre-planted coir
Photo taken pre COVID-19
Managing
water plants
The Authority’s annual programme
of water plant management helps
to maintain a balance between
the requirements of boaters for
navigable channels and conserving
habitats to support wildlife.
Last year, plant cutting took place
The Return of the group. The film captures how a
connection with nature can empower
at the following locations:
• Bure – Coltishall Lock (head of
Happy Times people to improve their mental health
and highlights the important support navigation) down to Wroxham
and friendships which grew during • Ant – Tyler’s Cut to
‘The Burgh Castle Almanac’
the project. The title, The Return of downstream of Wayford Bridge
was a three-year wellbeing
Happy Times, is taken from a saying on
program involving a group a Roman coin that the group found at • Upper Thurne – Somerton
who met regularly with artists, the fort. Dyke down to Martham Ferry;
archaeologists, writers, naturalists Waxham Cut; Catfield Dyke;
and musicians at Burgh Castle The final Burgh Castle Almanac will marked channel in Hickling
be produced this year, alongside Broad
Roman fort on the River Waveney.
an exhibition at the Time and Tide
The project, part of Water, Mills • Wensum and Yare – New
Museum in Great Yarmouth. The film is
and Marshes, aimed to improve Mills (head of navigation)
out now on YouTube:
wellbeing through learning new downstream to Thorpe St
bit.ly/3q3E9rQ
skills and being immersed in Andrew
nature. The projected was funded by the
National Lottery Heritage Fund and the • Waveney – Geldeston to
The project culminated in an downstream of Beccles
Community Fund.
inspirational film ‘The Return of Happy
Find out about the many other Further information on our water
Times’, produced by Lowestoft-based
projects at: plant management programme can
photographer and filmmaker Julian
Claxton, together with members of be found on our website.
watermillsandmarshes.org.uk
5
New and
improved moorings
It’s been a busy year for the
Maintenance Team, who have
adapted their work programme
around COVID-19 restrictions.
The team have constructed new
moorings and refurbished existing
mooring sites, working either in-
house or with external contractors.
While it’s impossible to list
everything, the work includes:
• Ant: How Hill, 100 m new quay
heading and path refurbishment
about to commence; regeneration
of Stalham Staithe with 6 new
moorings; Gaye’s Staithe,
Photo taken pre COVID-19 surfacing reinforced; Sutton
Staithe, How Hill & Neatishead,
posts and capping replaced.
Apprentices Apprentices, Eloise, Emily and Becky,
who all passed their apprenticeships Paddy’s Lane, path and quay-
heading timber replaced.
with flying colours, and with praise
graduate with from their tutor and their Authority • Yare: Hardley Cross, refurbished
supervisor. They have subsequently moorings. Topping up of
flying colours been taken on as Trainee Operations
Technicians for a year and started their
Rockland/Cantley mooring paths
underway now.
For the last five years, the Broads new roles in September.
Authority has run a successful • Thurne: Potter Heigham,
apprenticeship scheme for Since then, they’ve been busy Martham Bank, path topped up.
installing mooring posts at our 24-hour Staithe area drainage installation;
budding environmentalists
moorings, helping to move workboats
and Rangers to gain hands-on Potter Heigham Repps Bank,
and removing fallen trees from the
experience of working in the mooring posts replaced; Deep &
navigation. Their conservation work
Broads National Park. Apprentices Deep Go Dyke, raised paths, new
included scrub removal, reed mowing
learn the wide range of skills mooring posts installed and capping
and removing and treating invasive
involved in Broads management repaired.
plant species such as New Zealand
and conservation, from how to use Pygmyweed. • Bure: Hoveton Viaduct improved
a chainsaw through to how to pilot path; Acle Bridge, renewed
Last year, the apprenticeship scheme
a Ranger launch. piling, a new mooring path and 3
was postponed due to COVID-19 but
Congratulations to last year’s the Authority hopes it will run again electric charging points installed;
Environmental Conservation this autumn. corroded fixings at Scare Gap
replaced and topped up mooring
path; Wroxham (Castle moorings)
quay heading repaired, new
New UK National mooring posts, safety equipment
and mooring signage; St Benet’s
Parks website Abbey refurbishments (scheduled
for March to May).
The 15 UK National Parks have an all- • Waveney: Raised path and
new website: nationalparks.uk and timber refurbished at Haddiscoe
a new monthly newsletter Postcards West demasting mooring; new
from the Parks. Sign up via the new path at Beccles Marshes, and
website. Somerleyton, replaced mooring
cappings.
6
Dredging programme
will take place on a large shoal at the
confluence of the River Yare.
Upper Bure: November 2021
Around 10,500 m of sediment has
3 phase uses 21,000 m of sediment
3 onwards, planned dredging between
been dredged from between Brundall from Horsey Mere, Catfield Dyke and Coltishall Common and Hoveton
and Trowse Eye and from South the Upper Thurne, between Martham Viaduct (tbc) will move 20,000 m3 of
Walsham Broad on the River Yare. Ferry and Candle Dyke, to create a sediment onto the Trafford Estate for
new reedbed habitat at Hickling Broad. agricultural benefit.
The first phase of a three-year major
work programme at Suffolk Wildlife Early January saw the completion River Chet: November 2021,
Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature of the second phase of dredging at approximately 6,000 m3 of sediment
Reserve began last autumn. Around Waxham Cut, upstream of Brograve will be dredged between Loddon to
8,000 m3 of sediment is being dredged Mill to Bridge Farm Basin. Sediment Chet Mouth and used at Hardley Flood
from Oulton Broad and then used to will be placed on the western bank to help improve the Wherryman’s Way
create Peto’s Marsh, a new 1-hectare providing additional material for flood- footpath.
wetland. bank strengthening. Dredging and
River Waveney: From April through
associated tree work will improve the
In October 2020, the dredging rig to the summer, approx. 5,000 m3
navigable channel.
returned to Haddiscoe New Cut, of sediment will be dredged at
disposing again within a setback on the 2021 dredging projects Geldeston, downstream to Beccles and
Raveningham Estate. The 5,000 m3 of placed at Geldeston Marshes.
Lower Bure/River Yare: During
material previously dredged here was
February and March the Authority will Oulton Broad: Dredging will resume
used to strengthen the flood bank.
use a plough dredging technique in in spring 2021 to complete the second
The final phase of the CANAPE the lower reaches of the River Bure at phase of the habitat creation project at
project, which began last October, Great Yarmouth. Mechanical dredging Carlton Marshes.
will be completed in April 2021. This
Peto’s Marsh habitat restoration at Carlton Marshes
A three-year collaboration between improving water depth for navigation) Given that a few years ago the whole
the Authority and Suffolk Wildlife at nearby Oulton Broad to create of Peto’s Marsh was ploughed and
Trust will see new wetland habitat approximately one hectare of new drained as marginal arable land, it has
created at Carlton Marshes Nature reedbed. been a dramatic transformation of this
Reserve. site into the Broads’ newest wildlife
The new wetland will include reedbeds
sanctuary and carbon store.
The first mud was pumped into Peto’s and waterway pools, complementing
Marsh at the junction of Oulton Dyke the existing reed beds, open-water A new visitor centre opened last
and the River Waveney in Suffolk, back pools, dykes and ditches created by autumn, with plans for additional
in September last year. The work at Suffolk Wildlife Trust. These habitats grazing marshes, viewing platforms
Peto’s Marsh is taking approximately are loved by wildlife species such as and a new pontoon mooring for boats,
20,000 m3 of sediment from the dragonflies, freshwater snails, bitterns, transforming the area into a gateway to
Authority’s dredging work (which is common cranes, marsh harriers, the southern Broads.
avocets and lapwings.7
After
the storms
A succession of extreme
weather and storms between
late September and November
last year resulted in widescale
damage throughout the
Broads from wind, rain, fallen
branches and toppled trees.
Every member of the Ranger
Stay safe on the water team, alongside staff from the
Construction and Maintenance
teams and additional
The Authority is committed to improving the safety of all visitors to contractors, rallied together
the Broads. Following the tragic incidents last year, where four people in what became a mass clean-
sadly lost their lives, we are working with partners in the Broads Hire up operation to clear the
Boat Federation to improve safety measures, which include increasing navigation and footpaths.
Ranger presence on the water and creating online videos as part
of a comprehensive safety campaign for visitors. Expect to see the 3 October was the wettest day on
following messages out on the Broads. record since 1891 and, in addition
to the damage caused by the
Remember that accidents happen everyone on board. strong winds during storm Alex (2
to even the most experienced of to 4 October), Storm Aiden on 31
• Don’t drink and drive or sail –
boaters and this advice is to help October and subsequent wet and
you need to stay in control to
keep all crew members safe. windy weather in early November
stay safe.
• Wear a life jacket to keep safe resulted in weeks of additional
• Hold on when moving around work for already busy Rangers.
– and always wear one when you
– boats are affected by tide and
are on deck, getting on and off or Besides the damage from fallen
wind. Be especially careful near
tying up your boat. trees and branches, Breydon
the back of your boat.
• Plan ahead – prepare for water was closed to hire craft
• Don’t swim – never put yourself (2 November) and there were
low bridges, tides and other
in danger by entering the water, many calls to Broads Control to
challenges.
especially from or anywhere near report high water-levels restricting
• Don’t jump when mooring boats, as boat propellers can bridge clearances, boats taking
– plan where and how to moor cause serious injuries. on water, sunken vessels, boats
safely, and share this plan with breaking free from moorings and
unwanted objects in the navigation
– including a trampoline.
Areas affected by fallen trees
included the rivers around
How Hill, Coltishall, Horstead,
Wroxham, Trowse, Thorpe St
Andrew, Hardley and the upper
reaches of the River Waveney.
Hoveton Viaduct boardwalk and
Barton boardwalk were closed to
visitors until repaired. Some trees
blocked the navigation completely,
while others partially. The
navigation was cleared within a
week, but we continued the wider
clean-up operation into December.8
Future fuels alongside fitting electric power in some
Ranger launches. Yare House
of the Broads We have been working with British
Marine, Hethel Innovation and a closed
The Government is phasing out working group of boat builders, hire Our busy Tolls Team are still
the production of new petrol boat companies and suppliers (the working hard, but in order to
and diesel cars from 2030. While ‘Electrifying the Broads’ group) looking curb the spread of COVID-19 the
advances in boating technology at how the transition to more efficient office remains closed to the public
are closely linked to the motoring fuels and propulsion in the Broads and it is not currently possible to
industry, as yet there is no date could take place. Among the options pay boat tolls at Yare House.
being explored are electric boats and
when this will apply to boating. The easiest way is to register to
hydrogen fuel. The potential use of
As part of the Authority’s commitment biofuels is also being investigated to pay online at:
to tackling climate change, our own plug the gap in the shorter term until tolls.broads-authority.gov.uk
work programme and transport aims to low-carbon propulsion options are
be carbon neutral by 2030. or call 01603 756080 to pay over
affordable.
the phone.
Over the last two years, we have The Authority is seeking boaters’ views
purchased more efficient and cleaner on what would enable them to switch
replacement engines in a number of Stay informed
to low carbon boating so that we can
patrol launches, and two thirds of the build the infrastructure around the For information on tolls, bridge
Fitter Team vehicles are now electric. Broads to support it. Please look out for heights, boating and other Broads
There are twenty 24-hour mooring an online survey on our website and Authority news:
sites with electric charging points and social media later this year. www.broads-authority.gov.uk
we are looking to expand this network,
To inspire your visit to the Broads:
www.VisitTheBroads.co.uk
Sign up to receive your monthly
e-newsletter Broads Briefing:
bit.ly/3qGo0J5
You can also follow us on Twitter,
Facebook and Instagram.
Be on high alert for invasive Floating Pennywort
During 2020, the floating boaters spot any plants in the river area location of where it was seen.
pennywort plant was found on please try to manoeuvre around them, Be aware that the floating pennywort is
the River Ant, between Tonnage if possible with the engine off. Boat often confused with a harmless native
Bridge and Wayford Bridge, and propellers chop up the plant allowing plant, the marsh pennywort. A guide
between Wayford Bridge and the small fragments to spread through the on how to identify them both can be
confluence with Stalham Dyke. waterways. Avoid motoring through found at the NNNSI website: nnnsi.org
patches of river plants. Remember to
This invasive species spreads rapidly check, clean and dry your vessel The Authority is working with partners
in water, creating a dense raft of after use to help control the spread. to monitor and control the spread of
vegetation which clogs up streams and the plant.
rivers. Any sightings should be emailed to the
Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative:
Please remain vigilant and if you spot Image above by James Manners
NNNSI@norfolk.gov.uk with the exact
pennywort, do not disturb it. Where
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