Norfolk Broads businesses frustrated after toll rise deemed legal
Business owners have said tourists could be driven away from the idyllic Broads National Park after the government upheld a decision to increase new 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.Members of the Broads Hire Boat Federation made the complaint to the DfT.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.
Matthew Thwaites, chair of the Broads Hire Boat Federation, said members were extremely frustrated by the process.He 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.
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