The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are a valuable natural asset, recognised by their National Park status. Uniquely among National Parks, the Broads area includes 125 miles of navigable waterways. These waterways are fundamental to the character of the Broads and bring benefits to the economy, the natural and built environment, local communities and the lives of individual people. About 7.5 million people visit the Broads each year, drawn by the special qualities of the wetland landscape and the tranquillity of the waterways threaded through it, traversed by boats of all shapes and sizes. As a result tourism in the Broads contributes £775 million to the Norfolk and Suffolk economy and supports over 7,000 jobs.
The Broads receive National Park Grant funding from Defra, but the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 requires this to be used solely for funding National Park expenses and not for maintaining the waterways to keep them safe and navigable. Rather, all navigation costs must be funded from navigation tolls paid by over 8,000 private boat owners and 54 hire boat companies. This has resulted in the need to increase tolls substantially in recent years, which has generated considerable public disquiet. The number of both privately owned and hire boats has been decreasing, partly as a result of the increase in charges but also because of other factors such as poor weather, the cost of living crisis and relatively cheap foreign holidays. In consequence the Broads Authority briefing on navigation charges states a significant shortfall of £394,000 in the budget for management of the Broads navigation for 2025/26 and sets out some stark options. Ultimately the situation poses a threat to the essential character of the Broads and will potentially degrade their National Park status, as well as their contribution to the economy.
IWA previously set out its concerns over the need for large toll increases in a representation to the Secretary of State for Transport and urged Government to recognise the need for financial support to ensure that navigation and the character of the Broads are maintained. As noted in the representation, the Broads Authority is the only major inland navigation authority that does not receive government funding to support maintenance of navigation. Government has argued that use of the Broads waterways is a private benefit which should not be funded, despite waterways and boating being an integral part of the special qualities justifying the National Park designation – and therefore a public asset. Many people as well as boaters enjoy the public benefits provided by the rivers and wetlands.
The Broads Authority has written to the Government demonstrating that navigation is a public rather than a private benefit and deserves financial support from the Government. This position is supported by the Broads Society and also by IWA. IWA agrees that Government should recognise the value of navigation to the general public and provide a permanent regular annual navigation supplement to the Broads Authority, in addition to its funding as a National Park.
Sue O’Hare, Chair of IWA’s Navigation Committee, said:
“Through Fund Britain’s Waterways IWA is campaigning for adequate national and local government funding for all Britain’s navigable rivers and canals to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy their many benefits. The circumstances of the Broads are unique but the need for funding is universal.”
