Government recognises funding needs for the Broads
Years of lobbying to get a fair deal for the Broads Authority have finally been rewarded.
At Schroders London Boat Show yesterday (Friday January 14th) Broads Authority Chairman, Professor Kerry Turner, announced that the Government is giving the Broads Authority an additional £500,000 per annum over the next three years to tackle the backlog of maintenance and the costs of restoration.
Professor Turner said:
“I am delighted by the announcement. Alun Michael, the Minister for Rural Affairs, has clearly listened to our case and the Government is prepared to share the task of maintaining the waterways. This is excellent news but now there is a clear expectation that an increase in the navigation tolls should reflect the Government’s new commitment to integrated waterways management.“
Currently the Broads Authority receives £2.9 million a year in National Park Grant from the Government and £1.7 million is paid by boat owners in tolls to maintain the waterways. Unlike other national parks the Authority carries the heavy responsibility of maintaining the waterways, which have become increasingly expensive in recent years, as well as the high costs of sustainably managing an internationally important wetland. The decline of the hire fleet, which pays three times the tolls of private owners, has also contributed to the Broads Authority’s financial plight.
Chief Executive Dr John Packman said:
“This is wonderful news! The Broads Authority has been criticised for not doing enough for navigation, but quietly, over the last three years, we have been putting forward the arguments for extra money and it has now paid off. Clearly, the Government has shown that it understands that the Broads is a special case. By targeting the money on practical works this extra funding will enable us to make a really big difference to the maintenance of the Broads.”
The extra funds will be spent across the Authority’s remit and it is good news for those interested in conservation as well as those who boat on the rivers and Broads. It is planned that a significant sum will be spent bringing life back into a further eight broads.
The Broads Authority will decide how the money is spent on 11th February but high on the list of the Authority’s priorities are increased resources for dredging, the improvement of water quality and the repair of Mutford Lock at Oulton Broad.
13/01/2005
