Norfolk Broads Forum

A pivotal examination into the flooding of the Norfolk Broads by the Environment Agency is imminent, as specialists delve into allegations that a critical segment of the River Bure has accumulated sediment, exacerbating the widespread flooding experienced during the recent winter. The impending report centres around the 'Bure Hump,' an obscure yet now consequential stretch of the river, where apprehensions are mounting that insufficient dredging has impeded the natural outflow of rainwater to the sea.

This hypothesis, if substantiated, could elucidate the troubling phenomena observed upstream in the Thurne Basin. Last winter, this area witnessed severe waterlogging, with agricultural lands submerged, homes overwhelmed by sewage, and maritime enterprises grappling with unmanageable conditions. The community’s anxieties, voiced at a public forum in Hickling, spurred the Environment Agency to initiate a comprehensive analysis of this crucial fluvial section near Great Yarmouth.

Utilising advanced modelling techniques, experts have scrutinised whether intensified dredging operations might alleviate the siltation of the Lower Bure. This investigative effort has now reached its concluding phase, with findings anticipated in the forthcoming weeks.

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency conveyed, “We are actively engaged in modelling the potential impacts of dredging along the River Bure and its implications for the tidal segments of the Bure, Ant, and Thurne rivers. The final stages of this work are underway, with the comprehensive report expected by the end of August.”

Those within the boating community, who have borne the brunt of the floods, speculate that the silted 'Bure Hump' may indeed be the culprit behind the upstream turmoil. Echoing these concerns, Henry Cator, chair of the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance, has also expressed unease about the progressive shallowing of northern rivers.

The Broads Authority, maintaining that it has fulfilled its obligations to dredge the river to navigational standards, is nonetheless eager to discern whether more profound dredging could mitigate the flooding risks. John Packman, the chief executive, remarked, "Collaborating with the Environment Agency, we are exploring whether removing the accumulated silt from the Lower Bure might mitigate the flooding challenges. This issue remains a paramount concern for us."