Latest news with #BroadsAuthority
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tensions mount over temporary fence barring swans
A wooden fence put up around an unsafe slipway has caused anger after it prevented dozens of swans getting to where they feed and rest. The boat slipway next to The Boulevard at Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft in Suffolk, was shut by The Broads Authority. The authority stressed the new wooden fencing was only a temporary measure while it made plans to repair the site. But many locals and visitors have been left frustrated, with some even attempting to remove it - something the authority described as "irresponsible". Onlookers cheered as a section was removed by several people on Thursday. Peter Rix, 68, a retired builder, was one of the people involved in the removal and was happy to see the swans being able to roam again. He said he was not worried of any repercussions, however. "They've got their freedom back - that should never have been taken away from them in the first place," he said. "Nobody asked, they just put it up and built a prison for them, it's wrong." When challenged by the BBC over his actions, Mr Rix said he understood the safety concerns and was aware there were five signs warning people to stay away. Nikki Thomas is a local business owner and long term resident of Oulton Broad. She was not involved in the removal of the fence but said "generations" of people had come to love the swans. "They [the swans] are depressed because their normal resting area is up here on the grass," she explained. "They get fed in the mornings and evenings by locals and visitors alike. "They can't access it. When it's high tide they can't even get out of the water because they have covered the slipway as well where they used to walk up at high tide to their resting areas." 'My friends' Laurie Rookie, 90, comes down with buckets of seed three times a week for the swans, spending about £2,000 each year in the process. "I was devastated to see the fence, I couldn't believe it," he said. "I saw no reason for it. "They're wild birds but they are my friends and I've been meeting them for years - that's my pleasure in old age to do something for wildlife. "I get tonnes of pleasure out of it and I hope other people do to." A spokesperson for the Broads Authority said it was aware of people's concerns and the removal of part of the fence. "The recent removal of a section of the fence by concerned individuals is not a responsible action and has made it more difficult to manage this safety risk," they said. "We urge members of the public to allow the appropriate authorities to address these issues safely and legally. "We are currently working to identify a more satisfactory and permanent solution." The authority did not yet have a timescale for the completion of the works. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on Oulton Broad Dead swans 'need to be tested for bird flu' Key Broads link to shut for two months for repairs Powerboat Championships return to The Broads Related internet links Broads Authority
BBC News
18-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tensions mount over temporary fence barring swans
A wooden fence put up around an unsafe slipway has caused anger after it prevented dozens of swans getting to where they feed and rest. The boat slipway next to The Boulevard at Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft in Suffolk, was shut by The Broads Authority. The authority stressed the new wooden fencing was only a temporary measure while it made plans to repair the many locals and visitors have been left frustrated, with some even attempting to remove it - something the authority described as "irresponsible". Onlookers cheered as a section was removed by several people on Rix, 68, a retired builder, was one of the people involved in the removal and was happy to see the swans being able to roam said he was not worried of any repercussions, however."They've got their freedom back - that should never have been taken away from them in the first place," he said."Nobody asked, they just put it up and built a prison for them, it's wrong."When challenged by the BBC over his actions, Mr Rix said he understood the safety concerns and was aware there were five signs warning people to stay away. Nikki Thomas is a local business owner and long term resident of Oulton was not involved in the removal of the fence but said "generations" of people had come to love the swans."They [the swans] are depressed because their normal resting area is up here on the grass," she explained."They get fed in the mornings and evenings by locals and visitors alike."They can't access it. When it's high tide they can't even get out of the water because they have covered the slipway as well where they used to walk up at high tide to their resting areas." 'My friends' Laurie Rookie, 90, comes down with buckets of seed three times a week for the swans, spending about £2,000 each year in the process. "I was devastated to see the fence, I couldn't believe it," he said. "I saw no reason for it."They're wild birds but they are my friends and I've been meeting them for years - that's my pleasure in old age to do something for wildlife."I get tonnes of pleasure out of it and I hope other people do to." A spokesperson for the Broads Authority said it was aware of people's concerns and the removal of part of the fence."The recent removal of a section of the fence by concerned individuals is not a responsible action and has made it more difficult to manage this safety risk," they said."We urge members of the public to allow the appropriate authorities to address these issues safely and legally. "We are currently working to identify a more satisfactory and permanent solution."The authority did not yet have a timescale for the completion of the works. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- BBC News
Surlingham pub warns people not to use jetty to jump into river
A pub said while it has tried to manage the safety of teenagers jumping into a river from its jetty it has made the decision that it "has to stop". Coldham Hall Tavern in Surlingham, Norfolk, which is positioned on the River Yare, said it had conversations about how to safely manage teenagers jumping into the asking for the teenagers to be supervised by parents, the pub said this has "not been acknowledged" and some young people had damaged boats by using them to climb out of the water. It said: "We are not out of spoil anyone's fun and we understand the draw of jumping in the river in the heat of the summer. But ultimately we have to think about everyone's safety." In a post on social media, the pub said: "We are sure you have read about the drowning of a teenager in the river at Beccles, it was a tragedy and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends."The tidal currents are very strong on our stretch of river and with the added risk of underwater obstacles and weeds we do not want a repeat of what has happened to this poor boy and his family."Last year alone, there was four drownings on the Norfolk Broads and we would hate for it to happen on our watch." The body of a boy was recovered on Wednesday after emergency services were called to Beccles Quay, off Fen Lane, just before 19:30 BST, when the boy had failed to resurface after entering the River Waveney with Broads Authority who oversees the River Yare, which is part of The Broads, said it does not recommend people enter the water unless they were taking part in an organised event. It said: "Although the full circumstances surrounding the [Beccles] incident are not yet clear, it is another devastating reminder of the dangers posed by our waterways."We urge everyone to always stop and assess the risks posed by intentionally entering the water."This also includes being aware of the significant dangers posed by jumping in from bridges, boats or other structures." It advises people who find themselves in difficulty in the water to follow the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's advice to control your breathing and lean back in the water spreading your arms and legs wide. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Norfolk dog owners warned about South Walsham Broad algal bloom
People have been warned to be careful when visiting an area of the Norfolk Broads this summer due to an outbreak of blue-green Environment Agency has issued an alert about the potentially harmful bloom in South Walsham Broad and the surrounding have been warned to avoid contact with the water and to ensure that dogs do not go in or drink the Environment Agency said that blue-green algae can be toxic and cause illness or rashes for people but can be fatal for animals. A Broads Authority spokesman said: "Blue-green algal blooms are a natural occurrence that is usually caused by the hot weather."The blooms are often more likely to occur following periods of warm, sunny and calm weather conditions."Our responsibility as an authority regarding blue-green algae extends as far as informing users of the waterways about it to make them aware of algae and the associated risks."We know that people who paddle in the Broads, or own dogs, find this information particularly useful due to the dangers it can pose to human and dog health."A warning was in place for Gay Staithe and Lime Kiln Dyke, near Neatishead, in May but the Broads Authority does not currently have any other warnings in blooms also use up oxygen in the water, which can suffocate fish, with the Environment Agency encouraging people to report suspected outbreaks of algae to its incident hotline. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Norfolk and Suffolk Broads boss says toll rise necessary
Recent toll rises were necessary, said the chief executive of the Broads Authority, which runs national parks in Norfolk and Packman said he sympathised with those who opposed the rise, but added costs to maintain the water network had spiralled due to boat firms had argued that the new average charge of 5.9% was unreasonable and put holidaymakers off from visiting the last month, the Department for Transport ruled the increased charges were fair. In November, the authority said it was looking at a £400,000 shortfall, and would have to do less this year as a result. The Broads Authority received its core funding from two sources - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and questions from the public about the increase on BBC Radio Norfolk, Mr Packman said: "Every year it's difficult because it's this balance between getting enough money to do what people want."Many of our private owners, in particular, they want more. They want more moorings, more dredging, more rangers out on the water checking about the speeding."Dredging is probably our largest single things are in good condition and we're happy where we are at the moment."The number of visitors has fallen compared to previous decades, but Mr Packman believed the state of the economy, the cost of living and the rainy weather might have played a role in fewer tourists rather than toll costs."People used to book for two weeks and come whatever the weather, now they're watching what the weather is doing and booking late," he said. He was also asked about accessibility issues and how holidays on the broads could be improved for people with Packman said he was "entirely sympathetic" to the issue."It's one of the things I've picked up with the hire boat federation," he said."They point out that it's really quite difficult for a weekly cruiser to be able to get people on and off a boat."I do think the issue is something we need to have another look at."Mr Packman said the authority was also working with the Environment Agency on how climate change and sea level rises could impact the Broads in the next 100 years. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
