New Broads boss starts review of unpopular tolls

The new boss of the Broads National Park said she is keen to listen to people's concerns about the "tricky balance" of charging boaters to help fund its work.

The Broads Authority, which manages the network of rivers and lakes in Norfolk and Suffolk, imposes an annual toll for all vessels which it uses to pay for waterway maintenance.

This year's fee increase of 2.5% was the lowest in recent years but there are concerns that the toll is too much and could deter visitors.

Chief executive, Sarah Cowley said over the next few weeks the authority would be looking at how to provide value for money along with safe and enjoyable navigation, without putting people off.

She told BBC Radio Norfolk the authority was planning to hold a public meeting to hear about any problems, and from anyone who felt they were not getting a good deal.

"I don't have a magic wand, but actually listening to people's concerns about this is really important so we understand where we can make changes," she added.

The annual toll is based on the size of craft and how it is powered, with charges ranging from £50 for a paddleboard to several hundred pounds for a motor boat.

Last year, it emerged the number of private boats using the Broads had fallen by 576, a reduction of 5.6%, which meant the authority faced a deficit between the amount raised in tolls and its estimated costs.

Cowley said the cost of maintaining navigation had gone up, partly because of the increasing price of diesel, but the only source of income for that was from the tolls.

She added: "There are lots of diverse interests and we need to balance all of those, but it's important that people feel they have a voice and are part of that discussion," she added.

"I want there to be more engagement with the various communities, individuals and organisations across the Broads."

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