I read much in recent editions about the workings of the Broads Authority and their so-called management but I wonder if many readers know about their attitude towards boaters, a sector of the broads users that gives much of the authorities income towards it.

Having recently changed my boat, I sought to register it for the annual broads tolls. Quite rightly, the authority charges tolls on the size of the boat which is only fair.

However, my previous boat was already registered for use on the broads and was sold to a broker who may sell it on to another outside the broads area.

I was astonished on trying to pay the tolls for my new boat that I would be required to pay the tolls on the new boat for a whole 12 months (half of this toll year already having been passed) and that there would be no refund of the tolls paid on my previous boat.

If, however, I had registered my new boat in January with only three months of the toll year remaining, I would be entitled to a reduction of 50pc in the toll.

Being a law abiding citizen, I have paid the tolls on my new boat but would question if the Broads Authority is really being fair on a sector of the public from whom it gains a fair amount of its income.

Broads users get very little in return for the annual toll, perhaps a bit of dredging or maintenance of temporary moorings and many decisions of the authority are taken with very little reference to, or thought about, the boating community. Is it fair therefore that persons wishing to change or upgrade their boat are penalised in such a manner?

The available mooring places are being reduced at many parts of the broads, litter stations being removed and provisions for boaters generally being downgraded yet it seems their income is continually being increased. Would any sane authority choose to pick on one of its greatest benefactors?

Surely much more transparency about how the authority is run and where its money is spent would lead to more satisfaction about this non-elected body.