free newsletter FEB 2020 No. 38 BROAD SHEET

Photo by James Bass Navigation and water ecology The Authority’s programme of in Hickling Broad Environment Officers and Rangers water plant management helps identify cutting locations by working •Wensum and Yare – New Mills to maintain a balance between with rowers, hire-boaters, sailors (head of navigation) downstream to the requirements of boaters for and partner organisations including Thorpe St Andrew navigable channels and maintaining Natural England. diverse habitats for wildlife. Plant removal from the River Cutting locations vary depending on Wensum in city centre has Plant cutting in the main rivers and where plants grow during the spring resulted in significant visual reduction marked channels through the open and summer months, and ongoing in plant growth. Rangers tell us that broads typically starts in April and monitoring of the local environmental water clarity through the city has runs through to October, after which conditions necessary for aquatic life. been very good over the past few plants will die down naturally. years. Officers will also monitor changes Last year, plant cutting took place at in temperature and oxygen levels in The Authority has two weed cutting the following locations: the water and consider where rare vessels. Each has a set of cutting and protected species of plants or •Bure – Coltishall Lock (head of knives attached to a conveyor belt, populations of fish occur. navigation) down to Wroxham which cut the plants below the water surface and collects the cut material Cutting must leave a sufficient •Ant – Tyler’s Cut to downstream of as the vessel moves through the amount of vegetation under the Wayford Bridge water. Cut plants are usually placed water for aquatic life, to hold the •Upper Thurne – Somerton Dyke in low heaps on the bankside, where sediment together and provide food down to Martham Ferry; Waxham they quickly dry out. for wintering birds. Cut; Catfield Dyke; marked channel

Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY | 01603 610734 | [email protected] | www.broads-authority.gov.uk 2

Photo by Julian Claxton Navigation improvements 2020 A new work programme for to rise by 1.8%. This will also offset pence to fund the reduced increase 2020/21 will be funded by the loss of income from a reduction for unpowered, hybrid and electric increases in tolls of 1% for of weekly-hired motor cruisers. vessels. unpowered, hybrid and electric- A further 1% increase will raise Examples of the increased charges powered vessels and of 2.9% for £30,000 necessary to construct a are as follows: diesel and petrol-powered vessels. new free 24-hour mooring site at Private sailing craft Last year, boat owners’ tolls Peto’s Marsh (Oulton Broad). Due to Small private sailing craft (5m2 and increased by a total of 2.6% in open this summer, these moorings under) will pay £42.70 for the year order to maintain the existing will provide access to a brand new – an increase of £0.40. level of Broads Authority services Suffolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre (equating to 2.1%) and to fund the at Carlton Marshes and to the Larger sailing craft (11m2) will pay installation of new electric charging long-distance footpath, the Angles £93.94 for the year – an increase points at Acle Bridge moorings (an Way. With this addition, the overall of £0.88. additional 0.5%), which are due to be increase in tolls required is 2.8%. Private motorised sailing craft refurbished in time for Easter. However, in recognition of the Motorised sailing craft (11m2) will climate emergency and the future In addition to patrolling and regular pay £113.74 – an increase of £3.19. maintenance activities, this year’s sustainability of Broads’ vessels, increase will fund the Authority’s Authority members decided to Private motor craft extensive dredging programme (see raise tolls for diesel and petrol- Small private motor boat (5m2 and page 3) and refurbishment of the powered vessels by an additional under) will pay £69.90 for the year – following mooring sites: Hardley 0.1% to 2.9% so that unpowered, an increase of £1.95. hybrid and electric vessels could be Cross, How Hill, St Benet’s, Dilham Larger private motor boat (11m2) and Commissioners Cut. subject to a smaller increase of 1%. Incentivising lower-emissions vessels will pay £153.78 for the year – an This year, in order to meet its is considered an important signal for increase of £4.29. navigation responsibilities, the future of boating on . Large private motor boat (38m2) will maintenance work and annual In reality this means that a large pay £531.24 for the year inflationary pressures upon all private motor boat (38m2) will pay an – an increase of £14.82. outgoing expenditure, charges need additional increased toll of around 50 3

What’s on the web For information on tolls, bridge heights, boating and other Broads Authority news: www.broads-authority.gov.uk For event information, and to inspire your visit to the National Park: www.VisitTheBroads.co.uk Sign up to receive your monthly e-newsletter Broads Briefing: www.broads-authority.gov.uk/ newsletter You can also follow us on Twitter, Dredging programme Facebook and Instagram. In addition to the CANAPE work at Hickling, the Broads Authority’s Construction, Maintenance and Environment team has been busy this year dredging throughout the Broads. River Waveney: Works at River Ant. Completion is expected Beccles, downstream to Stanley in April 2020. Carrs began in April and were Future dredging works completed in summer 2019. Sediment was placed on the Oulton Broad: 20,000 m3 will be southern bank to provide material removed from Oulton Broad over Cleaning up for Environment Agency flood- a 3-year period, commencing in At the end of October 2019, bank strengthening. The project summer 2020. Sediment will be volunteers and staff from the removed shoals from the river used to create 1 hectare wetland at Broads Authority and SEA LIFE bends and improved the navigable the northern tip of Peto’s Marsh at partnered up for channel. the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton an end-of-season litter pick to clear Marshes reserve. Tyler’s Cut: 3,000 cubic metres up the area around Breydon Water, (m3) of sediment were removed Bure: Following works to remove near Great Yarmouth. from the upstream end of Tyler’s 4,000 m3 from the lower Bure at Many dedicated helpers braved Cut between November and Acle in summer 2019, the dredging the wind and rain to take part in the December 2019. The Authority crew is scheduled to return to the event, which covered nearly a mile of worked in partnership and shared area in April 2020 to remove an shoreline along the edge of Breydon resources with Dilham Marina. additional 2,000 m3. Water and the Herbert Barnes Park. Waxham Cut: The first phase of River Yare: From Bishop Bridge A staggering 25 bin bags of rubbish, 3 removing 6,000 m from Horsey to Thorpe Eye will be dredged in eight shopping trollies, two deck Mouth to Brograve Mill began in 2020, removing approximately chairs, multiple car tyres, a parasol November and was completed 6,000 m3. and even an old motorbike frame at the end of December 2019. River Chet: The Authority will be were retrieved from the landscape Sediment has been placed to the dredging approximately 6,000 m3 and disposed of throughout the day. east of the cut. The upstream from Loddon to Chet Mouth from section of the Cut will be dredged While successful, the event September 2020. in autumn/winter 2020. highlighted the negative impact that Finally, the Authority will be fly-tipping and irresponsible littering Fleet Dyke: December 2019 saw returning to Hickling Broad in has on an area. The partnership is a return to South Walsham Broad winter 2020 to complete the final planning to start a regular litter pick to continue dredging operations. phase of the CANAPE project. at the beginning and end of each Dredged material is being placed season. Head to the Broads Authority on the bank at Horning Hall on the website and social media for future updates. 4 Improving water level prediction Monica Pichler is a PhD student Monica has been using a water- in Marine Microbiology who level logger to record water levels has been on an internship in the between high and low tides on the National Park from the University River Bure. Using this alongside of . data collected by the Environment Agency, she has developed Over the last three months she computer algorithms to extract the has been collecting and analysing relevant tidal data. river-level data in order to help the Authority update and improve its This internship was supported by understanding of average water the UK Research and Innovation levels across the Broads. This – Biotechnology and Biological will assist with setting dredging Sciences Research Council (UKRI- requirements and predictions of BBSRC) Norwich Research Park flooding at 24-hour moorings. Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership.

Progress at Acle Photos by Julian Claxton In August 2017 the Broads toilet block has been re-opened for Works are currently underway to Authority purchased land at Acle public use. further improve the piling and to Bridge to secure the mooring install a number of new electric The Authority also welcomed the new location and additional facilities for charging points on-site. These works Dunes River Café into the existing Broads users. are expected to be completed by the thatched building during early beginning of the 2020 season, when Following refurbishment works there 2019. The café offers hot and cold the café will also reopen. are now over 150 metres of mooring refreshments, provisions for sale and space and a new raised path that will an indoor seating area for visitors to cope with high tides. The existing enjoy during the summer. 5

Telling the story of National Parks There is a huge breadth and depth to the work that goes on across the UK’s 15 National Parks. They take the lead in a range of areas including: fighting the causes and effects New recruits welcomed on board of climate change; enhancing It’s been a busy year for Also joining the Authority are Tom biodiversity; supporting health apprenticeships. The Authority’s Allen and Brandon Jarvis, on two and wellbeing and promoting Environmental Conservation brand-new heritage apprenticeships. an understanding of some apprenticeship scheme is now They are working to restore of the UK’s most cherished in its fifth year (this time with an iconic drainage mills throughout landscapes. all-female cohort) and October and Suffolk and will learn Many members of the public saw the start of a newly-created mill restoration skills (traditional are still not aware of these apprenticeship scheme, which bricklaying, carpentry and joinery) as beautiful areas and the unique focuses on reviving heritage part of the Authority’s Water, Mills challenges that they face. To craft skills. and Marshes programme. address this, the 15 National Over the next year, new Many of the iconic draining mills Parks have established a Environmental Conservation across the region are in urgent need marketing and branding unit apprentices Eloise Dey, Emily of restoration within the next 10 years dedicated to telling the story of Leonard and Becky Rimmer will or they face being lost forever. their work, both in the UK and learn the wide range of skills worldwide, to inspire the public So far, they have been working on involved in habitat management, site to understand and care for these Strumpshaw Steam Engine House, management and conservation work truly special landscapes. Mutton’s, Herringfleet and Six Mile in the Broads National Park. They House drainage mills. The work has The Broads Authority is proud have been busy so far with training included making doors, window that, after a bidding process on how to use herbicides, chainsaw frames, furniture, stairs, fitting floors among the National Parks, it felling, using brush-cutters, first aid and shelving, plus laying bricks and was awarded the opportunity and powerboat training. stone to build chimneys to host this unit. The small Eloise and Becky, alongside a team and fireplaces. team operates from Norwich of technicians and volunteers, have and is funded by all 15 parks. The apprenticeship scheme is been working at Hoveton boardwalk, Work has already started on helping to keep traditional skills replacing a 68-metre raised wooden building a programme of activity alive and to train the next generation walkway. Emily has carried out scrub and campaigns along with of professional craftspeople and management at fen sites and has making improvements to the conservationists. helped with work to improve the barn UK National Parks website and at Buttle Marsh and to install gates The Authority wishes the apprentices social media channels. and fencing at Irstead. all the best in their new roles. 6

Riverside tree management Last year, the Authority important habitats for bats, fish and Locations of this season’s programme recommenced its annual other wildlife. of work include sections of: the programme of riverside tree River Ant (between Hunsett Mill Removing trees from riverbanks is management throughout the and ); the River Bure from demanding and labour intensive National Park which runs from Horstead to the Hoveton Viaduct 24- but this work has been reduced October until the end of February. hour mooring (Wroxham) and two significantly thanks to a new set of sections of riverbank just upstream of After a detailed riverbank survey, mechanised tree shears purchased Beccles on the River Waveney. around 3,000m of trees – about the by the Authority. same length as 60 Olympic swimming During the quieter winter months, The shears are operated by an pools – have been identified for Rangers switch from patrol work excavator on a floating pontoon. felling. Their removal will result in to maintenance and conservation The rotating cutting head means navigation safety improvements for work. They are cutting back trees the excavator works with precision boaters, particularly on river bends from the riverbank at Horstead, while to retain the density of trees and and narrow channels. the Broadsword volunteer group vegetation necessary for wildlife. are working upstream of Belaugh Authority staff, contractors and In just one day, the tree shears Broad. The Authority’s Operation volunteers remove a selection of cover a greater length of riverbank Technicians are using the new tree trees and over-hanging branches. compared to working by hand. They shears along the River Yare, between They are careful to keep a range are also proving to be a safer method Bramerton and Brundall. of mixed-age trees, over-hanging of working for Authority staff, by vegetation and some tree stumps For further information and maps of reducing repetitive injuries caused by in place. The remaining trees management locations visit: manual handling. and bankside vegetation provide www.broads-authority.gov.uk/trees

local residents, boaters and visitors The Town Council, supported by the Regeneration of to enjoy. The work will create a new Broads Authority and Norfolk County footpath, mooring posts, safety Council, have resolved to register Stalham Staithe ladders and additional safety features the Staithe as Stalham Town Council Major work happening this winter necessary for the site to operate as a land, which will secure the area for will give a new lease of life to the free 24-hour mooring location. the local community and provide small waterside settlement. them with legal guardianship of the The site had fallen into disrepair site. Negotiations are underway Following much-needed repairs to because no Land Registry records to have the site managed by the the crumbling parts of the Staithe in were in existence to identify who Authority. The redeveloped site is 2018, major redevelopment work should take responsibility for the expected to open by the summer. is currently underway to transform repair work and regeneration. the site into a safe waterside area for 7 Photo by Julian Claxton

Useful apps A number of mobile applications are now available to make your time cruising on the water easier and safer. What3Words (what3words. com) has assigned each 3m square in the world with a permanent and unique three- word address. This three-word address can then be used to pinpoint your exact location Second phase at Hickling by others, including the Following last winter’s successful As a precaution, dredging in the emergency services if you are season of work, November 2019 Hickling area takes place during in trouble. saw the return of the Authority’s the colder winter months when Aweigh (aweigh.co.uk) is Construction and Maintenance Prymnesium parvum – an ever- an application designed Team to Hickling Broad as present algae known as the ‘golden specifically to support the the second phase of the EU algae’ – is less likely to bloom to boating community, providing Interreg funded CANAPE project harmful levels. commenced. information on your speed, The Authority rigorously monitors tide data, live maps, sunset The project aims to restore one water temperatures and algal levels times and more. It also includes hectare of lost reedbed in this before works can commence, and information on who to contact ecologically important area, owned 2019 saw the beginning of pioneering should you need help whilst on and managed by our partners Norfolk trials of a new DNA testing method to the water. Wildlife Trust. This will both improve quantify levels of Prymnesium. This There are also a range of biodiversity and provide a significant new method offers greater accuracy applications available to help carbon store through the accrual and faster test speeds, all of which you gauge your speed while of peat. has helped to safeguard against harmful blooms. on the water. Search the app Last winter 5,850 cubic metres (m3) store on your mobile phone of sediment was dredged from the Alongside the work at Chara Bay, the to find out more or visit the marked channel through the Broad. Authority’s Construction team will Broads Authority website for This was used to fill geotextile tubes also be planting 50m of reed along navigation information: www. which provide the boundary for a the edge of Churchill’s Bay, an earlier broads-authority.gov.uk/ new reedbed known as Chara Bay. project site, to help accelerate its boating return to natural habitat. This year’s target is to remove 8,000 These apps are produced m3 of sediment from the channel in Works to fill the lagoon and plant the independently of the Authority. Hickling and Heigham Sound using boundary at Chara Bay will continue Although they offer useful two 20-tonne excavators. Sediment into 2021, eventually leading to a new information, the Authority is is also being removed from nearby area of thriving reedbed. Visit the not responsible for Catfield Dyke, helping to keep it open CANAPE website for future project their accuracy. for navigation. updates: northsearegion.eu/canape 8 Climate change action Climate change affects all habitats, wildlife and communities throughout the National Park and will do so increasingly in the future, shaping the way the Authority works and how it will need to respond. Accordingly, the Authority has formally recognised the existence of a climate emergency and commits

to reducing its CO2 emissions to zero by 2040. It also proposes to engage with its constituent local authorities, businesses, residents and other stakeholders to explore

reducing CO2 emissions from within the Broads. In addition to recent lower rates of toll increases for unpowered, hybrid and electric vessels, the Authority’s Management Team is taking the Journey of the Chet Boat the project, which has followed following carbon reduction measures original hull plans and used with immediate effect: One of the most iconic projects traditional techniques every step of • Undertake an energy audit of of the National Lottery Heritage the way. all Authority buildings and take Funded Water, Mills and actions to further reduce energy Marshes scheme has been the Throughout this journey, the consumption reconstruction of the Chet Boat - IBTC opened their workshops a medieval vessel unearthed near for public and school visits and • Commit to purchasing all-electric Loddon in 2013 and thought to has recorded each stage of the vehicles, except where towing be more than 900 years old. production process. The oak hull capacity or 4-wheel drive demands is now finished, and following the make this impractical A two-thirds scale prototype production of a mast and sails, the of the vessel was built by the working Chet Boat is expected • Install additional car charging International Boat Building to be completed this spring. A points at Authority sites Training College (IBTC) for the maiden voyage and subsequent • Identify suitable locations to install 2017 Chelsea Flower Show, taking trips on the River Waveney from solar and other micro-generation centre stage in the ‘ Oulton Broad are planned for later devices at Authority buildings and Boatbuilder’s Garden’ which this year. land; and scooped a gold award in the Artisan Garden competition. The Broads Authority would • Review procurement practices like to thank all of the project to give additional focus to Over the last 18 months a full- partners and the National Lottery environmental criteria, while still size replica has been carefully Heritage Fund for bringing the achieving good value for money. constructed by the IBTC team Chet Boat to life and for offering a in Lowestoft, led by designer unique insight into boat building Please check the Authority website Gary Breeze. An ancient oak tree techniques of the past. for future updates on this work. donated by the Raveningham Estate provided materials for Visit www.watermillsandmarshes. org.uk.

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