Broads group claim Bure Hump making Norfolk flooding worse

A group of campaigners believe the area on the Lower Bure is contributing to extremely high water levels throughout the waterways because the Broads Authority (BA) is not doing enough to dredge it.

The Broads Reform Action Group (BRAG)  have carried out an analysis which they say shows the crucial section of the river, near Great Yarmouth, has been allowed to silt up and become too shallow - hence its 'hump' nickname.

A file photo of Marina Keys taken in 2008 (Image: Newsquest)

This means the flow of the river toward the sea is restricted and the waterways cannot drain properly, leaving riverside communities further upstream under water.

They say the hump is becoming so shallow that growing numbers of boats are even running aground there.

Channel markers high and dry along the Bure Hump (Image: Broads Reform Action Group)

But the Broads Authority has hit back hard, with its chairman describing BRAG's report as "embarrassing", and insisting it carries out dredging according to the findings of its own scientific analysis.

The dispute is the latest flare-up of ongoing tensions on the Broads between two groups: the so-called Navvies, who think the BA should focus more on the needs of navigation and the Parkies, who are more concerned about the Authority's national park responsibilities, such as conservation and tourism.

THE BURE HUMP

This section of the River Bure has become a point of increasing focus - and controversy - in recent years, as flooding has got worse on the waterways.

It runs for about 1.5 miles, from Ashtree Farm Reach to Marina Keys, just before the river reaches Yarmouth, where it flows into the Yare which then runs out to sea.

The section of the River Bure, part of which has become known as the Bure Hump (Image: Google)

Because the river turns on a long extended curve, campaigners say it is vulnerable to becoming silted up.

They claim that in recent years, this has happened - creating the 'Bure Hump', which restricts the flow of water. 

As well as contributing to flooding, by stopping the river from emptying when at high levels, the campaigners say that the hump has also become difficult to navigate. They say the number of boats running aground there has increased.

Bure Hump at low tide (Image: Broads Reform Action Group)

The BA warns people about the stretch on its website, urging people to take care and stay within the 30pc of the middle of the river "to avoid any potential problems from mud banks which can move with the tides".

A growing number of boat users have complained about the lack of dredging at this section of the Bure, which used to be carried out more frequently prior to the formation of the Broads Authority in 1988.

This section of the River Bure is known to silt up (Image: Denise Bradley)

SILTING UP?

The BRAG - which was set up by boaters, property owners and other Broads enthusiasts - believes there have been "major inaccuracies" in how the BA has recorded depths of the Lower Bure, which may have led to dredging not being carried out when it should have.

They say this "serious failing" could have contributed to widespread flooding woes in the Broads which left farmers' fields waterlogged, boats unable to pass below bridges, sewer systems backing up into homes and riverside firms struggling.

Channel markers high and dry at the stretch of the river known as the Bure Hump (Image: Broads Reform Action Group)

The hump is on a crucial stretch of the Bure close to its mouth.

The Bure is the largest of the so-called Northern Rivers. Both the Ant and the Thurne flow into it, meaning the Bure drains a huge area of the countryside.

Communities in the Thurne basin, such as at Potter Heigham and Hickling, are among those worst hit by flooding this winter, with water levels staying high for weeks on end.

Mud banks at low tide on the Lower Bure (Image: Broads Reform Action Group)

GROUNDING BOATS

BRAG members investigated the situation earlier this month and believe they found evidence that shows inconsistencies with the BA's navigation charts and the depths they calculated.

When they visited, they found that channel markers that sit upon the sloping mud banks on the bend were "high and dry".

It says there could be a discrepancy of at least 1.5m.

One suggestion made by BRAG is that the mean low water level - the average height recorded - was miscalculated. 

Recent figures have shown the number of boats running aground at this section has increased in recent years, which it says "strongly indicates" the condition of the river has "deteriorated".

A boat travelling on the River Bure at Stokesby (Image: Newsquest)

Colin Chettleburgh, BRAG chairman, said: “The magnitude of this error cannot be understated. These charts are used by multiple agencies for many different purposes. Any error in them can lead to flawed decision-making, inconvenience, danger to individuals and huge costs.

"BRAG will pursue this serious failing, to the highest levels of government if necessary, until proper answers have been provided and someone is held accountable.”

The section of the River Bure at high tide (Image: Denise Bradley)

DREDGING PRESSURES

BRAG believes, if mistakes have occurred in the navigation charts calculations, it could mean the BA has "drastically reduced" its dredging activities.

It says this has heightened its suspicions that it has resisted dredging in order to "save vast sums of money".

Henry Cator, chairman of the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance, has also questioned whether the Northern Rivers are being maintained effectively.

He said: "The situation is the Broads is not a natural phenomenon, it is a man-made system. With artificial waterways, we have to maintain them.

Henry Cator, chairman of the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance (Image: Newsquest)

"In living memory, water levels have never been so high. Northern Rivers like the Bure are getting shallower and shallower, meaning the river has less ability to convey water.

"If you speak to local people they will tell you water levels have been getting successively higher and higher and water does not leave at high tide.

"There must be an answer. If we are going to keep the Broads as a vibrant and flourishing economy we need to ensure it is not underwater."

Bill Dickson, chairman of the Broads Authority (Image: Newsquest)

'TRUST US'

The BA has refuted the claim that its navigation charts are inaccurate and has said they are based on regular hydrological surveys by independent contractors.

It says any difference would be due to the river being tidal, as low water depths will vary and fall above or below the average water level used on maps.

A response to BRAG by Bill Dickson, chairman of the BA, said sections of shoals between Stokesby and Great Yarmouth were dredged as recently as 2019.

Mr Dickson said BRAG had "put themselves in an embarrassing position" by not contacting officers before submitting the report to check for "accuracy". 

Sheep on the riverbank along the River Bure (Image: Denise Bradley)

The BA is confident its dredging activities are correctly ensuring waterways are maintained to the required depth for navigation - the main purpose of its dredging activities.

At the BA's request, the Environment Agency, which is the authority responsible for flood protection, is currently investigating the River Bure to see if deeper dredging would have any beneficial impact on flood risk in the northern half of the Broads.

The BA has said that it is a "common misconception" that dredging rivers helps reduce flooding and increases the 'air draught' for vessels.

Low tide along the River Bure at the Bure Hump (Image: Broads Reform Action Group)

In its recent Broad Sheet publication, it said: "Removal of sediment plays a minor role compared to the influence of tides and rainfall upon the volume of water within flood embankments. 

"With climate change, sea level and rainfall, we are seeing the finely balanced water management system under increasing pressures."

Hydrographical surveys it has conducted of the Bure have shown that the depths of the river have not changed significantly in the last decade.

A spokesman added: “Tidal river beds with faster flowing water constantly accumulate sediment. The BRAG report claims that this stretch has not been dredged in three decades. This is incorrect.

Broads Authority dredging the River Bure in 2015 (Image: Broads Authority)

"Selected shoals of the lower Bure (between Stokesby and Great Yarmouth) were dredged during 2017/18. Mechanical dredging opposite Marina Quays was carried out in the Autumn of 2018. 

"Additional ‘plough’ dredging has occurred at least every other year on this stretch for the last eight years to deal with the natural occurrence of sediment forming on the bends of the river.

"BRAG has not responded to the Authority’s offer to meet with the author of the report. “