GoneRoaming

This boat is only for sale following the sad death of my very good friend. his wife asked me to sell it for her as she can no longer stay aboard with all the fantastic memories they had together. she will take offers. please phone me on 07813473684 my phone is on 24/7 the boat can be viewed at Brundall Bay Marina by appointment with me. the mooring could be available by seperate negotiation with the marina.

https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/westward-38/631129 Quick sale required, please phone me on 07813473684 24/7

We to have pledged support with James Frazer but feel very sad that it has to come to this. I'm properly going to get knocked for what I'm about to say but i feel very strongly about my rights. when we brought our boat we were well aware that we could not use all the Broads system. we cant get to the north Broads as we cant get under Yarmouth bridges. we like the Southern Broads as it is a lot quieter and suites our needs. however we love Oulton Broad but now cant take the risk of going there if there is a chance that we cant get back. we pay our tolls to the BA for using 100% of the Broads System, with out the north Broads we are down to about 30% of the system. now with the swing bridges as they we are down to 20% of the system. i wouldn't mind so much but the last 2 years has seen my river toll rise by 21.5% for now using just a fifth of the system. how can this be right or fair. The BA must look into compensating larger boat owners on their river toll because as i have said before "if you went to a garage to fill up with petrol and you only got half a tank you wouldn't pay for a full tank would you" there is no difference The BA could then claim the difference from NR as it is their fault the bridges are like they are. What would have happened in the 70's with the coasters using the river Yare. there is a right of navigation and it must be enforced.

After going through the BA complaints with no joy this is now being taken up with The Local Government Ombudsman who i have spoken to this morning. they will contact the BA within the next few days

He did draw the line when the Otter comes calling.

Our cat loves the boat and all the wildlife, he's my best mate.

The fees normally start from 27 foot minimum thats why it's not fair. your 32 foot boat will be going up in toll. i have a 30 foot boat behind me and his has increased as well.

I love Norfolk and enjoy boating here but i am now thinking of moving to the south coast. it's not about the money it's the principal.

If your fuel bill at home went up by the same amount the Government would step in and stop it or you change suppliers. we cannot change The Broads Authority they think their God and need to be stopped.

Yes i know that and thats good, but i will not pay 18.5% extra, i have offered 2% and that's fair

I have spoken to my MP and also Andrea Leadson the secretary of state who has advised me to talk to The Local Government Ombudsman this i did and he told me to go through The Broads Authority complaints procedure then they would get involved. i am at stage 3 of their complaints procedure and am awaiting their final answer. i have offered The Broads Authority the same toll as last year with a 2% increase for inflation but not 18.5% which they are putting it up by. i do fully understand that smaller boats pay too much but they have access to the whole system, i have access to less than half. i am not moaning about the access i have as i knew this when i got the boat but i am not paying through the nose for it. i urge all boat owners that read this to complain the same only together we can change the rules. if you need any info please message me and i can let you know

i have just written to my MP and complained but i am not holding my breath.

I complained to The Broads Authority and got this reply Dear Mr Blows Thank you for your email, I will pass a copy to our Chief Executive for his information. I can confirm that the toll for Gone Roaming will rise by 18.5% in 2017 to £565.40. Yours sincerely Bill Housden Collector of Tolls

We could be possibly be in this same situation in the near future and I strongly believe the BA are acting illegally, you are in fact being charged twice and that to me is wrong. if I were to change my boat in January I would have to pay a new toll of £500+ and then another £500+ in April, so between April and January next year I would have paid £1000+ for the same boat. the only way to challenge this to me would be through the Courts if you want to go down that road. I would say offer the BA the difference, that is £125+ for the months January to April, then pay the full toll £500+ in April. if this was refused they would then take you to Court for their full amount and the judge would decide if they could charge you twice. I am sure it would turn out in your favour. this could also open a big can of worms as I am being charged for waters I cannot use as I cant get under Yarmouth Bridges with the new boat. Tell me your thoughts, I'll put my tin hat on.