Daphne

The river seems to be significantly busier than last year (with hire boats). Its great to see folks enjoying themselves. Sadly we are noting more flotsam in the river. This is often unsavoury material that should not have been dropped into the water. Used nappies, bags of dog poo, drinks containers, polystyrene take away trays seem to be a constant reminder that some people are less considerate than one would hope for.

A very interesting thread. As a private boat user, we have been watching the hire boats and the congestion on the river around Wroxham. There have been precious few hire boats available since they came back on stream in early July. So whilst I can accept that the hire boats have lost part of their income due to CV19, I am struggling to reconcile their meagre contribution to the BA. Whereas private boat owners are GBP325k short, what proportion of the whole amount due from them does that represent? I am sure it must be more that the slightly less than 2% of the amount expected from the hire fleet. Looking online at a couple of hire companies, they remain heavily booked throughout September. Whilst JM et al have elected not to use their boats in 2020, and therefore not pay their toll, I think it is different for the hire boat fleet. We have all lost out this year in one way and another. Some have lost more than others. I hope the boat hire companies end up making fair contribution. If I am wrong in my analysis, I will happily be corrected.