This year's tolls review is examining the formula used for calculating the charges for different categories of boats, based on their size and form of propulsion. It is looking in particular at the charges for the smallest sailing dinghies with the ambition of reducing the toll paid and thus encouraging more young people to take up sailing.

The Authority is responding to concerns raised at the Authority's public meetings, comments by individual toll payers and a submission by the Buckenham Sailing Club.

Director of Waterways Trudi Wakelin said,

"We are keen to reduce the impact of the toll charge on young and new users and are looking at ways in which that could be addressed. We want to encourage more people to use the water in sustainable ways which will have little impact on the Broads."

"It is hoped that toll payers with dinghies of less than 5m² could be encouraged by amending the way that the toll is calculated. In this way it is hoped that a wider audience would have the opportunity to enjoy the Broads. We shall also be looking at the charges for dinghies with outboard motors."

Hire boats

In 2005 a fundamental review of the tolls system was undertaken using an external panel. This year's examination includes another look at the hire boat multiplier. Hire boats pay substantially more than private boats principally because of the greater use they make of the navigation. In 2005 the decision was made to reduce the multiplier from 3.0 to 2.7 times over the following three years. There was a commitment to re-examine the ratio three years later to see whether it should be further changed or remain the same. The multiplier for day boats and passenger vessels stayed at 3.0 times.

After the 2005 review the flat rate for sailboards, rowboats, punts and canoes was reduced from £24.70 to £20 and the Broads Authority Paddling Scheme was extended to sailing dinghies. Under this arrangement boats belonging to a youth organisation can be covered by one toll. The discount for electric boats was increased from 25% to 30%. Membership of the British Canoe Union allows canoeists to use most waterways in Britain, including the Broads, without a toll, as well as providing insurance cover.

Workshop

A key part of this year's review was a workshop at the end of September for members of the Broads Authority and its Navigation Committee.

They considered factors such as changes in the numbers of different categories of boats, the current economic climate, the impact of the introduction of the Boat Safety Scheme, the removal of the derogation for Red Diesel and the performance of the hire boat industry.

Last year the Authority took over direct responsibility for dredging from May Gurney which has increased the amount of silt that has been removed, but there is still much to be done. As always the Authority will need to balance the wish of many users for more to be spent on dredging, maintenance and patrolling with the ability of toll payers to continue to pay higher charges.

The workshop conclusions will -- help Authority officers develop a detailed set of proposals for the Navigation Committee to give its views on before the Authority decides on next year's charges.

The net Navigation Account expenditure for 2008/09 is budgeted at £2,596,800. This comprises the toll income, a contribution from reserves and the additional National Park Grant. Four key areas of expenditure are - dredging (35.9%), patrolling (20.9%), navigation works and maintenance (13.9%) and moorings and yacht stations (4.2%).

Improvements

Additional National Park Grant, £250,000 this year, is spent on dredging navigable rivers and broads on the grounds that it contributes to the improvements to the Broads ecosystems. This year's annual survey of plant life across the system is suggesting that improvements in water quality are continuing.

The Broads Authority will decide on the level of next year's tolls at its meeting on 21 November with the first of the invoices despatched in the middle of February.