Overnight mooring charge at Reedham Quay is dropped

The Broads Authority has responded to the concerns of Reedham businesses and has dropped plans to charge a nominal fee for overnight moorings at Reedham Quay.

The Authority and Broadland District Council which owns the quay, were planning to introduce a £3 charge for mooring overnight at Reedham Quay to help pay for ranger services under the terms of a new lease. Mooring during the day would have remained free.

Local businesses were concerned the fee would deter boaters mooring overnight there. At a recent Broads Authority Parish Forum in the village members and officers listened to the views of residents and in the light of this decided not to go ahead with the proposals.

John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority said, “We are very conscious of how important tourism in the Broads is to the local economy and that the hire boat industry is in a fragile state. The meeting in Reedham was the second of our Parish Forums and provided an excellent opportunity to engage with local people. The financial contribution from the proposed mooring fees to the cost of providing a ranger at this site would have been relatively modest and having heard the views of local residents the Authority has decided to retain the existing arrangements at the quay.”

A ranger has been employed at Reedham Quay for 30 years to safeguard boaters mooring at a particularly tidal stretch of river close to the railway swing bridge.

A ranger is now on duty for the summer season to welcome boaters, help them moor, and assist with information at the quay.