Latest news with #OultonBroad
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.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Former ITV presenter ‘punched boyfriend and chucked her chips at him during bust up at train station'
A FORMER ITV journalist punched her boyfriend and chucked chips at him during a row at a train station, a court heard. Victoria Mayo who also worked for the BBC, is accused of assaulting Edward Royall at Oulton Broad North railway station on February 22. 6 6 The 41-year-old appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court where she pleaded not guilty to the charge. JPs heard Mr Royall, who supported Mayo in court, had called police and also claimed his hair had been pulled. He has since written to magistrates asking for the assault charge to be dropped, Mayo's solicitor said. Rob New also claimed the behaviour is "consented" to in their relationship. He added: "Miss Mayo's partner will be a witness [for the defence] at the trial, so the dispute is whether a crime has actually taken place. "There is said to have been an incident at the train station. They had a disagreement, which resulted in her throwing things at him, chips at him." Prosecutor John Cooper said the alleged attack had been recorded on CCTV and the footage would be played at the trial. It shows Mayo allegedly "pull his hair, punch him and throw chips at him". The prosecutor also said photos of Mr Royall's injuries will also be presented to the court. Mayo was released on unconditional bail ahead of her trial at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on September 12. The journalist worked for 13 years at ITV Anglia before leaving to last year to focus on her PR business. Mayo also carried out freelance work for the BBC and Global. 6 6 6 6
