In September, dredging on Surlingham Bends on the River Yare was completed ahead of schedule. The dredgings, which were contaminated with mercury, were taken to a new cell  which had been created at Postwick Tip over the summer.

Due to the early completion of the work dredging began ahead of schedule in October on the River Bure at St Benet’s Abbey, where shoals were removed. The dredging of Haddiscoe Cut, between Reedham and St Olaves, will enter its second phase between January and March next year.

Trudi Wakelin, Director of Waterways, said, ‘We are progressing well with our dredging schedule and expect that boat owners will notice a significant improvement on rivers in the Thurne Mouth area next summer. A recent study by Cranfield University shows that we are taking out significantly more sediment than is coming into the system, despite a steep increase in costs, so we are making steady progress.  ‘By working in partnership with the Environment Agency and their contractors, BESL, we are also able to use dredgings within the flood defence work, which helps to keep costs down as well as being more sustainable.’

The Broads Authority is spending a record amount on dredging this year, using £250,000 of National Park Grant for this purpose as well as £400,000 from toll payers.

Next year the total expenditure on dredging and disposal is likely to rise by a further £101,000 to an unprecedented £750,000.

By DAVID FOXWELL