Skip to content

Businesses frustrated after Broads toll rise stays

Robby West
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromHoveton
BBC Sara Thwaites is inside a boat which has panelled wooden sides and a glass ceiling. There is a blue upholstered seat behind her and a fire blanket holder on the wall. She has sunglasses on her head and her hair is brown, wavy and shortBBC
Sara Thwaites said she had a "sore point" on her forehead from "banging it against a brick wall" regarding the appeal over the toll charges

Business owners have said tourists could be driven away from the idyllic Broads National Park after the government upheld a decision to increase toll charges.

Boat hire companies had complained that the average rise of 5.9% for most craft on the waterways in Norfolk and Suffolk, was unlawful and unreasonable.

But the Department for Transport (DfT) has found in favour of the increase.

Sara Thwaites, 56, who runs a boat hiring company, said she was "really frustrated" by the decision.

"We need to be paying a toll, but [the Broads Authority] needs to understand the impact [that the increase] is having on this business," she said.

The Broads Authority has said its increase in charges will help it maintain the national park.

The toll costs fund maintenance, navigation services, and environmental conservation across the Broads.

Mary Thompson is smiling at the camera and is wearing a light blue T-shirt and a darker blue top. She has shoulder length dark hair and several earrings. Behind her is a cafe with the name Larry's Pizzeria on the sign. There is a chair and a table on the pavement outside and ornamental bushes by the door
Mary Thompson said businesses like her pizza restaurant on the Broads would "definitely suffer" due to the toll prices

Mary Thompson, 36, owns a pizza restaurant and a B&B in Hoveton, and said the toll increases would have a "massive impact".

She explained tourists visiting the area were a "make or break" for her businesses, and price rises would "drive people abroad" for their holidays.

"I think the Broads Authority could think really carefully about what they can do to help support local businesses," she said.

An aerial shot of part of the waterway known as the Broads. There is a wide stretch of water and several boats are moored along the edges. There is a large white windmill close to the shore and flat green fields stretching into the distance
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are a unique and protected wetland landscape known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and recreational boating

Matthew Thwaites is chairman of the Broads Hire Boat Federation, which submitted the complaint to the DfT.

He said members were extremely frustrated by the process and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service his organisation had not yet been officially told of the decision by the DfT.

"It is ridiculous," he said.

"How is this a fair and proper judicial review of our complaint when they have not responded to any of our correspondence?"

A spokesperson for the DfT said: "After carefully considering structures at similar ports and regular annual fee increases by the Broads Authority, the department found in favour of the charges levied."

The Broads Authority said the organisation was battling against increased maintenance costs and the ruling demonstrated the "appeal was unjustified".

"Now that the unhelpful distraction of the DfT complaint has been concluded, we hope that more effort can be put towards constructive dialogue that recognises the challenges we are all facing," they added.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links