Bill to boost safety on waterways

New powers give more control over navigation and maintenance

Measures to boost safety on the broads and waterways of Norfolk and Suffolk are on the verge of becoming law.

Norwich North MP Ian Gibson has opened the third reading debate on the Broads Authority Bill.

He told the Commons the "prime purpose" of this update to the 1988 Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act was to improve public safety in a leisure area.

It would also give the authority new powers and enable government funding to be used to maintain the waterways.

Specific powers are proposed in the bill to reduce the risk of fire and explosions, introduce compulsory third party insurance for boats and manage overhanging vegetation which poses a navigation hazard.

Mr Gibson said: "The prime purpose of this bill is public safety on the waterways of the Broads.

"That is not just effective on people who use the Broads from Norfolk and Suffolk but they are from across the world and across the UK and across Europe.

"It is a very popular tourist destination where many boats dodge about during the summer and we are rather concerned about public safety on these waterways."