Broads Authority take-over will mean more dredging for the Broads
The Broads Authority has taken direct control for dredging the rivers and broads in a move that is expected to bring more dredging and better value for toll payers.
Under the new arrangements the Authority predicts that it may be able to achieve up to 25% more dredging than last year for the same amount of money. It estimates that 290,000 cu metres of mud and silt can be removed over the next five years, representing 16% of the material that the Authority wants to remove to meet the specification agreed with users.
John Packman, Chief Executive, said: “The Broads Authority has seized this major opportunity to improve the maintenance of the rivers and broads. Reduced overheads will mean more dredging for the same money. On top of this the former May Gurney staff will be able to undertake other maintenance tasks.”
The new arrangements follow a decision by May Gurney, the Authority’s main contractor since 1989, to cease the dredging side of its business. In a “very favourable deal” the Authority has purchased May Gurney’s dockyard at Griffin Lane, Thorpe, which has 300 metres of river frontage, and two modern barges for approximately £¼ million. In addition, six cranes, nine barges, three tugs, two dumblighters plus other plant and equipment have been transferred.
A listed Victorian summerhouse which has been home to two generations of the Fox family who were foremen at the yard, is also included. Re-thatching the ridge of its roof will be used as a training exercise for the Authority’s apprentice reed and sedge cutters.
Trudi Wakelin, Director of Waterways for the Authority, said: “The vessels and equipment, which have been transferred, will increase the Authority’s capacity for the repair of moorings and cutting of trees and shrubs. The dockyard in Thorpe will give us an operational base in the southern rivers and will be invaluable in dealing with sunken and dangerous vessels and for storage.”
The skilled labour force of 10 men has been transferred to the Authority. Jason Parker, May Gurney’s former site agent, will continue to head up the operation in his new role as Head of Construction and Facilities for the Authority. His expertise and continuity in management will help take forward the new operation.
Broads Authority Chairman Kerry Turner said: “May Gurney has provided us with an excellent service since 1989 when the Broads Authority took over responsibility for navigation. This is an important step we need to take to improve the long-term maintenance of the Broads.”
The Broads Authority’s Navigation Committee unanimously supported the move. The committee also recognised that if the level of maintenance carried out over the last three years is to be maintained, or even improved, then toll payers will have to play their part.
Chairman of the Navigation Committee, Martin Broom, said: “The Navigation Committee considered this a once-only opportunity to be able to increase the Authority’s capacity to do more much needed dredging. The committee do accept this will have to be funded by toll increases above inflation but consider this is inevitable if we are to reduce the backlog of dredging.
"The committee also had to consider the possible alternative that May Gurney could have sold the site and disposed of all the equipment, which would not have left the capacity to undertake even the present amount of dredging. It is grateful to May Gurney for its cooperation in making this transfer possible.”
15/10/2007
