Statement on navigation charges for 2025/26

On Friday 29 November 2024, the Broads Authority resolved, in line with the recommendation of its Navigation Committee, to increase navigation charges for the 2025/26 season by 5.9% for most of the 11,500 boats that use the Broads.

The Authority is acutely aware that in the current economic climate any increases to the charges come as a blow to private boat owners and hire boat operators which has prompted the Authority to agree a budget which will require it to make cuts in services.

It was agreed that two categories of boat would be exempt from the increase for next year.  Electrically powered day-hire boats and hired sailing boats would see no increase in tolls. The remaining fleet of diesel- and petrol-powered day-hire boats would pay a little extra (around £30 per boat) to fund these initiatives which aim to reward operators investing in more sustainably powered vessels and demonstrate support for the historically important sector of the hire boat industry which is finding current trading conditions extremely hard.

Charges for Ranworth Staithe will be increased by £2 to £12 for an overnight stay. This rate will also apply at Reedham Quay when charges are introduced here. The overnight charge at Norwich and Great Yarmouth Yacht Stations will be increased from £16 to £18.

Currently the only means of funding the maintenance of the waterways of the Broads is through these charges. The Authority is of the view that the current model of funding is unsustainable and has written to the previous and current Secretary of State for Environment explaining the difficulties and requesting central Government funding to contribute to navigation. To date we have not received a reply.

The income raised through tolls funds the maintenance of the waterways (including dredging, water plant cutting and moorings), fuel, rangers, maintenance staff, tolls staff to administer the charges and chase non-payers - to name but a few. The cost of all of these services have been consistently rising way above the rate of inflation which is based on the prices of everyday household purchases and not more relevant items like raw materials (such as wood and steel) which are extensively used by the Authority.

These decisions follow several months of extensive deliberation and consideration by members. A Briefing paper was published on 20 September prior to a workshop which was held on 8 October. The Navigation Committee also debated the budget on 7 November making recommendations regarding the charges for 2025/26 to be considered by the Authority. During these discussions, Members have explored ways in which the Authority could make further savings and efficiencies to lessen the burden being passed on to boat owners through charges.

The full report from the meeting is available to view here: Broads Authority - 29 November 2024.

For more information please see the tolls section of our website.

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