6 tourism and recreation - europa€¦ · on lock-free tidal rivers through magnificent scenery....

6 Tourism and Recreation

One of the Authority’s core responsibilities is to enablepeople to enjoy the Broads. Closely allied to this is theAuthority's duty to protect the navigation. TheAuthority encourages quiet forms of recreation on landand water, based on the area’s distinctive beauty,culture, traditions, history and wildlife. In other words,it supports tourism and recreation that does notdamage the Broads’ environment, or other people’senjoyment of it. It is vital to ensure that enjoyment ofthe area is combined with an awareness andunderstanding of the special qualities of the Broads asa national park. The economic viability of the Broads’tourism industry relies on a healthy and attractiveenvironment and opportunities to engage in a range ofappropriate recreational activities. Water-borne tourismis considered to be the largest contributor to theBroads’ economy.

The potential for tourism and recreation in the Broads isimmense. Visitors are attracted by the beautiful wetlandlandscapes, opportunities for sailing, motor-boating,canoeing, angling and bird-watching, and otherrecreational pursuits such as walking, cycling and horse riding,

Sustainable tourism

Tourism drives the economy of the Broads and is a keyproduct in the economy of the East of England. It benefitshire boat operators, shops, restaurants, hotels, cafes andattractions catering for visitors. A recent study by the Eastof England Tourist Board shows that the overall value oftourism to the Broads in 1998 was about £146.6 million, ofwhich 82% was generated by staying visitors and 18% byday visitors. This level of expenditure supported theequivalent of 3,107 full-time jobs (4,350 actual jobs,including part-time and seasonal workers). In terms ofstaying visitors, there were 1 million trips to the Broadsand a further 1.3 million trips made by day visitors. Thissame study shows that the hire boat industry is the singlemost important provider of holidays in the Broads,accounting for 53% of trips by staying visitors and a totalof 4.4 million nights.

Environmental awareness is increasingly widespreadamong tourism operators and the Authority is proactive insupporting the development of sustainable tourism initia-tives, such as canoe and cycle hire schemes. Managed ina sustainable and sensitive way, tourism in the Broads willcontinue to provide environmental, economic and socialbenefits to local communities.

Navigation and water-based recreation

The Broads is one of the most extensive and varied inlandwaterway systems in the UK, offering 190 km of boatingon lock-free tidal rivers through magnificent scenery.There are approximately 1,974 ha of water space (6.5% ofthe Broads’ executive area) and 63 permanently openwater bodies, covering 841 ha. Many of these waterbodies are broads in the traditional sense (see glossary),while others are of more recent and/or different origins asat Whitlingham. Some broads are open to public naviga-tion, others have more limited access, generally forenvironmental or land ownership reasons, while someothers are landlocked and inaccessible to craft (Map 11:Extent of navigation within the Broads, with the distrib-ution of 24-hour moorings managed by the Authoritypage 61).

The Broads has been important for sailing and other types of boating since the end of the 19th century, when it became a popular tourist destination. The rivers andbroads give the Broads its distinctive charm and specialqualities, offering a sense of seclusion, tranquillity andeven wildness that can best be appreciated from the water.

The number of licensed boats using the Broads has beenin excess of 10,000 boats since 1971, reaching a peak of13,573 in 1993 and subsequently fluctuating between12,700 and 13,200 (Figure 6.1a). The majority of boats aremotor cruisers (Figure 6.1b). The dramatic decline in thehire boat industry is not so evident from the less markeddecrease in overall boat numbers, reflecting the fact thatboats from hire fleets tend to remain in the Broads inprivate ownership (Figure 6.1a). These figures also maskchanges in the distribution of boat movements around thewaterways: the Yare and Waveney have become quieter,while the Bure and its tributaries have become busier.Highest use of the rivers and broads occurs in the mostimportant parts of the system for biodiversity.

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Top: ‘Ra’, Britain’s first purpose built solar poweredpassenger craftRight: Yacht station quayattendants provide animportant service to visitors.

Local person who has expanded his business by diversifying into environmentally sustainable canoeand bike hire schemes.

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

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3000�

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f boa

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Figure 6.1a Number of private and hire boats on the Broads

Motor cruisers Yachts Launches Outbroad dinghies Workboats, passenger vessels Sailing craft Rowing craft

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

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8,000�

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Total number of boats Private boats Hire boats

Figure 6.1b Types of boats on the Broads

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Broads Plan 2004 Tourism and Recreation 37

Land-based recreation

Water is what the Broads is all about, and most activitiesrelate to it in some way. However, there is much to beenjoyed on land. Simply looking at this uniquewaterscape, with its countless moods, is a huge source ofpleasure for many people. Here are opportunities forfishing, bird-watching, painting, photography and manyother such pursuits, not least the chance for quiet reflec-tion amidst beautiful and tranquil surroundings.

The existing rights of way network offers quiet enjoymentto visitors by foot, horse or bicycle. Circular walks andcycle hire networks allow visitors to explore the Broads’landscape and gain an understanding of the area (Map 12: Network of canoe and cycle hire centres, information centres and long distance paths within theBroads page 62). Improvements to existing rights of wayand new statutory rights of access to heath and commonland in the Broads will be provided under the Countrysideand Rights of Way (CROW) Act, for which the Authority

The hire boat industry remains a vital part of the localeconomy, despite its decline over the last decade.Recognising changes in traditional holiday patternstowards later bookings and shorter notice, and improvingenvironmental and quality standards within the industryare key to its revival. Diversification, including the service,maintenance and storage of private vessels, is alsoimportant. A strategy and action plan for the revival of thehire boat industry is now being implemented under theBroads Boating Holidays Project. Actions include theintroduction of a quality assurance scheme for hire boatsand the refurbishment of the yacht stations at GreatYarmouth and Norwich.

Sailing, part of the Broads' history and landscape, is inkeeping with the national park philosophy of quietrecreation. The Broads is an ideal place for the novice andexperienced sailor alike. There are many sailing clubs onthe Broads: competitive racing is organised throughoutthe year and cruising under sail features with some clubs.Classic Broads’ sailing craft, including wherries andNorfolk punts, remain a distinctive part of the Broads’heritage. Some broads and reaches of rivers have beenidentified by the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Associationas Very Important Sailing Areas8.

Angling is extremely popular in the Broads, which offerssome of the best coarse fishing in England. The 'anglingpound' makes a significant contribution to the localeconomy. The Broads Angling Strategy Group hasproduced a Broads Fisheries Action Plan that seeks tooptimise the environmental and socio-economic benefitsof fisheries and to maintain, improve and develop sustain-able fisheries.

Recreational pressures on existing water space are consid-erable and somewhat exacerbated by some broads beingclosed to the public, and certain upper reaches beinginaccessible. The number and types of boating activitiescan have implications for safety, quiet enjoyment of thewaterways and river-banks and for nature conservationinterests, and must be carefully managed. Improvementsin access must also be tempered with limited or no accessto certain water space that provides a key refuge forwildlife. Zoning of the water space, both in time andspace, is a recognised means of reducing conflictsbetween different user groups. Promotion of goodboating practice may also help to reduce environmentalimpacts of boating. Opportunities for the creation of morewater space can also be explored, although options arelimited in a nationally protected area.

Top: Bird-watching is a popular pastime for visitors to the Broads.Above: Woods End, Bramerton - consistently high standardswhile afloat and on-shore are a vital ingredient of people’senjoyment of the Broads.

8 Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association, 2002. Strategy for Boating on the Broads.

Maintaining the waterways

The Authority is responsible for the maintenance of thenavigation on the waterways, which is funded throughboat tolls. Management includes health and safetyprovisions, dredging, clearance of wrecks and otherhazards, signing and marking the waterways, maintainingthe network of free 24-hour moorings and providing aranger service to assist the public and enforce thebyelaws, particularly speed limits.

Bank erosion is a recurring issue, with a number of causes.The action of wind and boat induced waves are majorcontributory factors, along with water quality, land useand feral geese, all of which may damage reed fringes.Once the causes have been addressed, action must betaken to restore and protect banks. The Authorityenforces a pattern of speed limit controls to limit thedamaging effects of boat wash. It also provides advice tolandowners on appropriate bank protection methods,encouraging the use of natural or 'soft' engineeringtechniques wherever possible. Strong healthy reed rondsare the most effective form of bank protection, acting as anatural buffer against wave action. They are also a charac-teristic feature of the Broads’ landscape and provide animportant habitat for wildlife.

Maintaining adequate water depths for safe navigation is a fundamental river management task for the Authority. An annual dredging programme is undertaken to combatsiltation. The Authority seeks to dispose of dredgedmaterial in ways that minimise the impact on the environ-ment. Beneficial use of dredgings is encouraged wherepossible. However, a number of traditionally used sites fordredgings are now protected under European natureconservation legislation, requiring more creative solutions. A Sediment Management Strategy for theBroads, which integrates the disposal options available

has set up a Local Access Forum. Opportunities also existfor enhancements under the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project.

Conservation volunteering, organised by the Authorityand other conservation groups, provides a valuableopportunity to learn about practical habitat and accessmanagement and to experience the enjoyment of workingin the Broads’ environment.

The Authority works with the boating industry, localcouncils, catering providers and other agencies to ensurethat services and facilities for recreation and tourism are ofan appropriate and acceptable standard. This includes theprovision of public toilets, showers, launderettes and car parks.

Innovative work is going ahead with the development ofthe Broads Quality Charter, a pioneering initiativedesigned to highlight the good practice alreadywidespread in the Broads. It will foster further improve-ments in the quality standards of catering establishmentsthroughout the area, and provide the model for a nationalquality assurance scheme.

Whitlingham Country Park, occupying the Yare flood plainon the south-eastern fringe of Norwich, is developing as a'gateway' to the Broads. Acting as an interface betweenthe Broads and the city, the country park already offers avariety of outdoor activities. A visitor centre is currentlyunder development, and this will provide an importantintroduction to the Broads’ experience.

Far left: Whitlingham, on the edge of Norwich, is an important gateway to the Broads now that two new broadshave been created from gravel extraction.Left to right: Popular recreational activities in keeping withthe national park philosophy of ‘quiet enjoyment’

Accreditation markused by pubs andrestaurants that meetthe standards of theBroads QualityCharter.

38 Tourism and Recreation Broads Plan 2004


Issues, aims and priority objectives

Sustainable tourism and recreation

Issue: Considerable achievements have been made inimproving water quality and restoring wetland habitatswithin the Broads. Such efforts need to be supported byensuring that tourism and recreational activities areenvironmentally and socially sustainable.

20-year aim: Tourism and recreation will be promotedand managed at environmentally and socially sustainablelevels, thereby contributing to a vibrant and stable localeconomy. They will be founded on the natural andcultural beauty of the Broads, which is enhanced by itstranquillity and sense of remoteness. Boat numbers andthe intensity of boating use will be managed at levelsthat are environmentally and economically sustainable,as well as socially acceptable among those using the Broads.

5-year priority objective:

TR1 Develop a sustainable tourism and recreation strategy.

Managing water space

Issue: There is considerable pressure in certain areas onthe use of water space for navigation, recreation andnature conservation purposes. Its management requiresan integrated approach, based on existing levels of useand importance, and suitability and potential for different uses.

20-year aim: The waterways will be in sound ecologicalcondition, with 'good' status9 water quality and highlevels of biodiversity. A wide range of appropriaterecreational activity will take place in suitable locationson and beside the waterways, according to public rightsand permissions that are clearly understood andsupported by all interests.

5-year priority objectives:

TR2 Develop a strategic, integrated approach tomanaging water space.

TR3 Develop and implement site management plans forkey broads.

TR4 Examine and promote opportunities for expansionof navigation water space, consistent with nature conservation interests.

as part of a sustainable and holistic approach, is currently being developed.

Thriving aquatic plant communities are part of a healthywetland ecosystem. Some of these plant communities areEuropean features protected under the Habitats Directive.Certain species of plants are rare and restricted in the UKto parts of the Broads (Figure 5.3). With improving waterquality and rising temperatures, aquatic plants are likely tobecome more prolific and have an increasing impact onnavigation and recreation, unless nutrients are so low thattheir growth is inhibited. Sustainable managementsolutions will be required.

Grab dredging on the River Wensum

A navigation ranger enforces speed limits using a radar gun.

9 As defined in the Water Framework Directive.

40 Tourism and Recreation Broads Plan 2004


TR6 Promote the design and use of environmentallyfriendly craft.

TR7 Promote boat etiquette and good boat handlingamong boat users to improve safety and reduce environ-mental impacts.

TR8 Promote the preservation, restoration and use ofcraft historically used on the Broads, and sustaincontinued use of traditional styles and materials.

Boating holidays

Issue: The hire boat industry is a vital part of the ruraleconomy. It has been in decline over the last decade fora variety of reasons. The Broads Authority, in partnershipwith the industry and key agencies, has developed astrategy and action plan to address the key issues.

20-year aim: The hire boat industry in the Broads willthrive, providing a quality experience that is customerfocused and economically viable at environmentally andsocially sustainable levels.


TR9 Implement the Broads Boating Holidays ProjectAction Plan.

Access to land and water

Issue: Much of the Broads is relatively inaccessible.Moreover, links between land and water-basedrecreational provisions are limited. Enjoyment of the fensby the public is very limited. Viewing of this part of theBroads’ landscape tends to occur from fixed locationsrather than as a journey, and is not an holistic experience.Direct access on to fen habitat is difficult due to thefragile and often hazardous nature of the peat substrate.

20-year aim: The Broads will be easily accessible for allto enjoy recreational activity on land and water. Accesswill be sensitively managed, and of a kind and anintensity that respects and preserves the special qualitiesand ambience of the Broads, its landscape and delicateecosystems. Opportunities will be provided for landaccess in the Broads, via a linked and extensive networkof footpaths, cycle ways and bridle paths that takeadvantage of the natural valley contours. More limitedopportunities will be available for visitors to experiencethe fens and appreciate their fragility without degradingthis habitat. Where existing access is in danger of beinglost, for example through erosion along river-banks,compulsory purchase powers will be exercised onadjacent land.

Safety of the navigation and boats

Issue: The Authority is responsible under the Port andMarine Safety Code for reducing and maintaining allrisks associated with navigation to 'As Low AsReasonably Possible'. It is also responsible forintroducing and enforcing the Boat Safety Scheme. Theintensity of boating activities varies across the Broadsand, at times, certain reaches of river are congested. Thishas potential implications for boat safety, as well as thequiet enjoyment of the waterways and river-banks.

20-year aim: Provisions to ensure the effective safetymanagement of the navigation and the technical safetyof boats will be in place in accordance with best modern practice.


TR5 Introduce and enforce appropriate safety systemsand measures for the navigation and boats, respectively.

Environmentally friendly boating

Issue: New designs and technologies are becomingincreasingly available to the boating industry to minimiseenvironmental impacts from noise, wash, and spent fuel.Opportunities and incentives will need to be found tointroduce them to the Broads, within both the commer-cial and private sectors.

20-year aim: Boating activity in the Broads will cause theminimum of harm to the environment. Boats will bequiet, generate nominal pollution and, by virtue ofappropriate size and design, cause minimal damage tobanks by wash or erosion.

Wherries, of which only seven remain afloat, are a unique partof the Broads heritage.

An increasing number of speciallyadapted hire craft enable people withlimited mobility to enjoy boating.


TR16 Minimise bank erosion where caused by boating activity.

TR17 Protect and restore vulnerable banks and ronds.

Management of aquatic plants for navigation

Issue: Thriving aquatic plant communities are part of ahealthy wetland ecosystem. Aquatic plants will respondin abundance and diversity to improving water quality,particularly as Water Framework Directive targets aremet. Some of these plants are rare, their UK distributionsbeing restricted to parts of the Broads, and some ofthese plant communities are European featuresprotected under the Habitats Directive. With improvingwater quality, aquatic plants are likely to increasinglyimpact on navigation and recreation.

20-year aim: Aquatic plants will be managed sustainablyin ways that: do not impact on the ecological integrity ofsites; keep waterways open to navigation; and providefor appropriate recreational activity.


TR18 Develop and implement a strategy for the sustainable management of aquatic plants.


TR10 Develop and implement a Rights of WayImprovement Plan for the Broads, in accordance with theprovisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way(CROW) Act.

TR11 Develop a strategy for managing publicenjoyment of the fens.

TR12 Improve launching facilities for small craft.

TR13 Improve physical access to facilities and servicesfor all, including people with disabilities.

Visitor services and tourism infrastructure

Issue: Services, standards and facilities vary consider-ably across the Broads and in many cases do not meetthe expectations of visitors.

20-year aim: Visitor services and associated infrastruc-tures will meet minimum quality standards that representgood value for money.


TR14 Introduce and develop initiatives that fosterimprovements in visitor services and facilities.

Dredging and disposal of dredged material

Issue: Current levels of dredging are insufficient tomaintain the navigation. Moreover, sites for the disposalof dredged materials are scarce: traditionally used sitesare now protected under European nature conservationlegislation and opportunities for using adjacent arableland are few.

20-year aim: Waterways will be maintained at adequatedepths for navigation purposes by dredging. Dredgedmaterial will be disposed of in environmentally andeconomically sustainable ways.


TR15 Develop and implement a sustainable sedimentmanagement strategy.

Bank erosion

Issue: Bank erosion is a recurring problem forlandowners and impacts on water quality. A range ofbank protection measures is used, and the Authoritypromotes 'soft' or natural engineering solutions where possible.

20-year aim: Bank erosion will be minimal, with sustain-able and where practicable natural or 'soft' engineeringsolutions used to protect the more vulnerable stretchesof waterways.

Fleet Dyke, South Walsham Broad: old dredgings areremoved to form a flood bank and public footpath. Coir rollsare then secured in place to reduce boat wash when waterlevels are high.


High quality, effective communication is essential tohelp people understand and enjoy the Broads in waysthat do not damage its natural and cultural features orits sense of space and tranquillity. Promoting understanding secures public and, therefore, politicalsupport for a shared vision of the Broads. Promotingunderstanding ranges from providing information tovisitors about facilities and things to do in the Broadsor to local people about the role of the Authority, todescribing complex research and management tasks tothose interested. It is important to ensure that every-one who wishes can access information appropriate totheir needs using a variety of means.

In its recent review of national parks, Government encourages national park authorities to promote greater

understanding of national parks among a wider audience,including those from urban areas, ethnic minorities andyoung people. With this in mind, and in order to clearlyidentify and promote the national park status of theBroads, the Authority is seeking to change the name ofthe area to ‘The Broads National Park’. As this may requirelegislative changes, the Authority will change its brandingin the meantime to make more explicit its membership ofthe national park family.

Information provision

The Authority produces many high quality publicationsand other interpretation for local people and visitors. Onehundred thousand copies of the Broadcaster visitor news-paper are printed annually and delivered to boatyards,pubs and other service providers in the area.

The Authority manages a network of five small informationcentres. Information and interpretation about the Broads’environment is displayed alongside information on localattractions, accommodation, boating and other activities(Map 12 page 62).

Talking face-to-face to a knowledgeable, friendly memberof staff is a key part of the Authority’s communications.Many people rely on electronic communication, but theopportunity for personal contact with the Authority’sinformation centre staff, countryside and navigationrangers, seasonal wardens and other staff is invaluable.

7 Understanding the Broads

Above: Nutmeg Puppets raise children’s interest in the Broads. Left: Hoveton Information Centre, one of five inthe Broads (top). Wherries tour the Broads as part of anannual Fun in the Broads events programme that attracts10,000 people annually (bottom). Below: The Electric Eelboat trip is equipped with hearing aids.

43

Issues, aims and priority objectives

Understanding the status and importance of the Broads as a national park

Issue: The Broads Authority is a member of the nationalparks family, with its own legislation to address theneeds of navigation. It wishes to change its name tomore clearly identify the Broads as a national park and isseeking ways to further promote such status. The recentreview of national parks by DEFRA encourages nationalpark authorities to promote greater understanding ofnational parks among a wider audience, including thosefrom urban areas, ethnic minorities and young people.

20-year aim: The Broads will be renowned as a nationalpark, whose purposes and special qualities are clearlyunderstood. Appropriately interpreted information willenable people to enjoy the Broads in ways that do notdamage its natural and cultural features or sense ofspace and tranquillity.


UB1 Promote and raise awareness of the Broads as amember of the national park family.

UB2 Reach a wider audience, including young people,those from urban areas, ethnic minorities and those withdisabilities, with appropriately interpreted informationand appropriate opportunities for enjoying the specialqualities of the Broads.

UB3 Further develop the Broads Environmental Education Network.

Local traditions

Issue: Special traditions, skills, crafts and oral culture arein danger of being lost from the Broads.

20-year aim: The social history and local traditions thatreflect the character of the Broads’ landscape will beunderstood, documented by readily accessible multi-media, and promoted.


UB4 Develop and promote a greater understanding ofthe social history and associated local traditions of the Broads.

Responsibilities and role of the Broads Authority

Issue: The Authority’s statutory duties are to managethe Broads for the purposes of: conserving and enhanc-ing the natural beauty of the Broads; promoting theenjoyment of the Broads by the public; and protectingthe interests of navigation. It is also the responsible

authority for planning andnavigation. These dutiesand responsibilities arenot always widely understood.

20-year aim: The responsibilities of the BroadsAuthority will be well understood and its role in keyareas will be clearly defined in relation to other partners.


UB5 Ensure that the statutory duties of the BroadsAuthority are adequately promoted and interpreted ininformation available to the public.

UB6 Develop and promote the role of the Broads Authority.

Provision and distribution of information

Issue: Information about the Broads should be readilyaccessible to all interest groups in a variety of means thatare appropriate to their needs, using available technologies.

20-year aim: High quality information about the Broadswill be appropriately targeted to a wide range of interestgroups. It will be readily accessible to everyone, usingavailable technologies.


UB7 Develop a communications strategy and associated action plans.

Stakeholder and community participation

Issue: Many different and sometimes potentially conflicting interests centre on the Broads. These need tobe shared and understood by the relevant stakeholdersin order to integrate common objectives and reconciledifferences. Stakeholder and community participation isalso critical, in terms of political support and resources,to the successful implementation of the Broads Plan.

20-year aim: Relationships between the BroadsAuthority, its stakeholders and local communities will beimproved, with better understood and more widelyagreed strategic approaches to major issues facing theBroads. Active partnerships will take forward commonobjectives to the benefit of the Broads.


UB8 Increase the capability and capacity of the BroadsAuthority to engage stakeholders and involve communities in the management of the Broads.

44 Understanding the Broads Broads Plan 2004

Information about what to visit in the Broads is publicised in theBroadcaster, a free newspaperfinanced by advertisements.

Broads Plan 2004 Understanding the Broads 45

Left to right, top to bottom: Children learn how to make dragonflies, staff member assists visitor, David Bellamyenthuses children while opening the boardwalk at Barton,how to bundle reeds is explained to visitors from an urbanarea, new How Hill Ecology Centre features a laboratory,interpreted information adds to visitors’ enjoyment, rangerinstructs students how to cut scrub, face painting - part ofthe fun for all ages!

6 tourism and recreation - europa€¦ · on lock-free tidal rivers through magnificent scenery....

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