Broads Authority warned against big hike in toll fees

The Broads Authority (BA) has been urged to avoid raising the cost of using the waterways next year after it said it needs to put prices up by 12pc to plug a £400,000 blackhole in its funds.

It follows three years of steep increases, which have left boaters paying 30pc more.

A river cruiser sailing on Barton Broad (Image: Newsquest)

But amid a huge public backlash and complaints to the government, members fear another significant hike will push the situation to breaking point.

At a recent navigation committee meeting, members voted to call for a 5.9pc increase - half of what has been proposed.

This was the average toll increase calculated after each individual member suggested a figure, which ranged from 4pc to 7.5pc.

However, this will have repercussions for the network of rivers and broads as the BA will be forced to make staff and service cuts to balance the books, with the number of rangers patrolling the waterways earmarked to be culled.

Daniel Thwaites, director of Barnes Brinkcraft and broads Authority member (Image: Broads Authority)

TOLL ONSLAUGHT

Daniel Thwaites, of Baines Brinkcraft - one of the leading boating companies in the region - said: "We are getting squeezed from every angle, through minimum wage going up and an industry-wide decrease in prices for boats.

"While I am 100pc behind the work of rangers, the BA has to cut its cloth as we cannot keep raising costs.

"We are all aware of the abuse and outcry from the public last time. Be prepared for another onslaught if it rises above inflation."

A Broads Authority ranger at the River Bure at Hoveton. (Image: Denise Bradley)

CUTS LIKELY

Keeping the toll rise to about a 5.9pc increase will mean the BA will have to find £75,000 in savings in order to balance its budget, Dr John Packman, chief executive of the BA, warned members.

No increases to tolls would mean "substantial redundancies and cuts."

It is already looking at reducing resources for its navigation duties, which will mean less dredging and weed-cutting next year.

The authority is facing a challenging financial climate, due to a reduction in the number of boats, particularly small craft like canoes and paddleboards, using the Broads.

Following the Budget announcement last week, an extra £69,000 must be found to cover the increase in employer national insurance contributions.

Broads Authority chief executive John Packman (Image: Tom Barrett)

Dr Packman said one cost-saving measure, which would generate £75,000, would be to cut the total number of Ranger patrol staffing days in a week, down by 18. 

He said this was feasible without posing a risk to boaters' safety.

However, there was unease about this.

Stephen Bolt a marine biologist and BA member, said: "I am nervous as we increased the patrols as a result of fatalities.

"We put extra rangers in for good reason."

Sailing on the River Waveney close to Oulton Broad (Image: Newsquest)

EFFICIENCIES NEEDED

Mr Bolt asked if the BA had "sweated everything else as much as possible" in order to find other areas where savings could be made.

This was echoed by several members, who urged the BA to have a deeper probe into how the organisation is run, to make it as efficient and cost-effective as possible, without having to burden boaters with further increases.

Bob Neate said: "I fear the trend of reducing boats will continue. We will continue to have stretched budgets so rather than cuts, we need to squeeze everything to find proficiencies and efficiencies." 

Dr Mark Collins, chairman of the Broads Society (Image: Neil Didsbury/Archant 2020)

Dr Mark Collins, chairman of the Broads Society, called for the BA to explore ways of diversifying income.

But Dr Packman said working for private individuals using publically funded equipment could cause "political problems."

Following the vote, Dr Packman said he would work with officers to consider what the implications would be of the 5.9pc toll fee increase.

A proposal for hired sailing boats to have toll increases frozen was also supported by the committee.

The BA will also explore a reduction in fees for electric and hybrid hire boats, with diesel craft to pay a higher rate instead.

A final decision will be made by members at a meeting on November 29.