Reedham, Somerleyton and Trowse Swing Bridges

Reedham Swing Bridge

Latest Network Rail bridge update from the Broads Authority as at 26 June 2017:

•  Reedham Swing Bridge  – Operating
•  Somerleyton Swing Bridge  – Operating
• Trowse Swing Bridge – repaired and will open with 24 hours notice

 

Lowestoft IBTC wins Gold at Chelsea

The NSBA Congratulates the Lowestoft International Boatbuilding Training College in their wonderful accolade of Gold at the recent Chelsea Flower Show for their “Broadland Boatbuilder’s Garden”.

Partial Restriction at Trowse Eye , Rivers Yare and Wensum

We have been given notice by the Broads Authority that due to removal of overhead powerlines by UK Power Networks, there will be restricted access from 07:30 to 19:30 during the following period:

19 June – 29 June 2017

You may encounter delays of up to 30 minutes, during which time passage past the works will not be possible due to safety reasons.

Please note that at all times you may only proceed past the works when clear indication is given that it is safe to do so.

Please ensure you navigate with care and caution in the area, observing any relevant signs or directions.

Brundall Boat Show

Please visit our stand at the show on Saturday 20th May, where you can join the NSBA and purchase Green books…..

BA Moorings – Electricity point meter upgrade

We are advised that:

Picture – Broads Authority

After installing and programming the last few sites between now and Thursday 30 March 2017, it can be confirmed that all Broads Authority electric pillars will be open to the public for use by Friday 31 March 2017.

The new meters will be ready to work with the new contactless cards which are being made available through all usual outlets.

Broads Plan 2017 – NSBA response

The Broads Authority are currently reviewing and updating the Broads Plan 2017, first published in early 2016.  This aims to “set out a long term vision for the Broads and guide actions for the benefit of its environment, local communities and visitors.”  Full details can be found on the BA website here.

The NSBA have submitted their response to the latest draft – a copy can be downloaded here.

Tolls response from Broads Authority

NSBA recently sent a message to members informing them of the tolls changes proposed for 2017/18 with a list of bullet points highlighting particular areas of concern for private boat owners.  NSBA has received a letter from Professor Jacquie Burgess, chair of the Broads Authority responding to these points.

The content of the letter with annotations by NSBA can be downloaded here.  Officers of NSBA will be meeting with Professor Burgess and Dr Packman next week and look forward to continuing the discussion.

Autumn 2016 Newsletter

The Autumn 2016 newsletter can be downloaded from here: autumn_newsletter_2016

Radical Tolls Changes for 2017

The Navigation Committee of the Broads Authority has recently approved a radical change in the structure of tolls for 2017/18.  This follows advice from a 7 member BA Tolls Review Group set up in September 2015.

Whilst the effect on hire boats is modest, many private boat owners will face dramatic changes in the level of their tolls.

• Almost a third of motor boats face an increase of over 10%
• Many traditional broads sailing cruisers have an increase of over 20% – some over 50%!

At the same time, very small boats will see large reductions in tolls – around 20% for an Optimist dinghy or a 15’ motor launch.  A calculator with tables setting out the effect on your toll can be found here: private-tolls-2017_18

NSBA are disappointed that the Navigation Committee has chosen an outcome which will adversely affect a large number of private boat owners.   We encourage boat owners to express their views directly to the Broads Authority to reinforce our comments.

 

Now the quiz:  See which boats the BA are encouraging via their Tolls policy:- One boat has a 16% increase, the other is over 30%

 

 

 

Yes – you’ve guessed – the Fairline is 15.8% and the River Cruiser is 30.2%

Click here to see some other examples of new 2017 Toll changes.

BA Tolls Proposals 2017-18 – Radical changes for Private boat users

NSBA has today issued the following Press Release.  We have also produced our own supporting tables of charges, which can be downloaded here:Private boats – Hire boats  For private boats these show the effect of keeping a “fixed and variable” combined rate, rather than the BA proposed “flat” rate toll.

The Navigation Committee of the Broads Authority will consider proposals to make radical changes to tolls at its meeting on 27^th October. 

At a time when inflation is around 1%, private boat owners will face dramatic changes in the level of their tolls with some increases of over 50%. Almost a third of motor boats will face an increase of over 10%. This compares with Hire Boats where only 4 motor boats see such a large increase – all of these are diesel generator boats where the electric subsidy has been withdrawn.

57% of private boats will see a change (increase or decrease) in toll of over 10% – equating to over 5,000 boats.

Many traditional broads sailing boats will also face increases of over 20%, some as high as 40%.

At the same time, lower tolls for smaller boats could reduce income from these craft by around £100,000 – a puzzling strategy for an organisation with Navigation income below forecast and concerned about its ability to meet its future spending commitments.

These extreme changes come about because a proposal to adopt a single rate to apply to the boat size to calculate the toll, whilst trying to achieve an overall increase in toll income of 3.3%.

David Talbot, vice-chair of the Norfolk & Suffolk Boating Association, commented “whilst we welcome many of the changes, we are disappointed that the oversimplification of the proposed method has led to such extreme variations in tolls for private boats. We urge the Navigation Committee to consider the full impact of the proposals on individual boat owners.  As they stand, we feel that the proposals are neither sufficiently flexible nor fair to our members.”