Owners of boats who moored on the Norfolk Broads without paying tolls have been fined after being taken to court.

Prosecutions by the Broads Authority earlier this month included vessels found moored in Wroxham, Stalham, Trowse, Whitlingham and Bundall.

The boats were moored on waters within the navigation area without paying the appropriate toll, a breach of the Broads Authority vessel registration bye-laws.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Broads Authority offers time limited free mooring at some sites but boat owners must pay an annual tollThe Broads Authority offers time limited free mooring at some sites but boat owners must pay an annual toll (Image: Newsquest)

It comes after boat owners earlier this year accused the Broads Authority of seeking to prop up its finances by controversially increasing annual tolls.

Its 13pc rise in charges, which are based on hull size, will add just £6 to the charge for a sailing craft but an additional £211 for a large motor vessel, which could particularly impact those living on a boat.

Among those whose cases appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court was Stuart Pigram who was fined £440, plus compensation and costs totalling almost £1,000.

His motor boat home, Wild Rose, and another vessel called Shrunk in the Wash, were both moored at Trowse Rail Bridge, near Norwich, on May 8 last year.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: One of the boat owners fined had been moored at Trowse rail bridge near NorwichOne of the boat owners fined had been moored at Trowse rail bridge near Norwich (Image: Mike Page)

Others prosecuted included Richard Hargreaves, 62, who was fined and given compensation and costs totalling £556 after pleading guilty to not paying toll for his motor cruiser Paula Anya at Whitlingham Country Park.

Those whose cases were proven in their absence included Steven Bone, of Sprowston Road, Norwich, handed fines and costs totalling £1,091 over a motor boat called Bear With Me moored in Wroxham. 

Danny Brown, 36, from Saxlingham Thorpe, who was moored at Broadsgate Marina in Stalham must pay fines and costs of £520; while Christopher Neil, 50, and Adam Harvey, 51, were hit with fines/costs totalling £914 and £650 for boats moored in Brundall.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Boats moored at Brundall where one owner has been fined for non-payment of tollsBoats moored at Brundall where one owner has been fined for non-payment of tolls (Image: Newsquest)

The Broads Authority has said the increase in tolls will help to “improve the facilities available to the boating community”.

It said rises in overnight mooring charges at Yarmouth and Norwich were the first since 2017.