Tempers rise over speeding boats on the Ant at Ludham Bridge

But on one stretch of the Broads, things are proving anything but.

Boaters who keep their vessels near Ludham Bridge say they are being plagued by speeding craft.

They say the frequent wash from passing boats is causing their own vessels to rock violently, damaging their belongings and throwing people on board off balance.

Several of the moored boats have also been hit and damaged by visitors - some severely - without an apology.

The stretch, on the Ant, is one of the narrowest parts of the Broads, with both sides of the river lined with moored boats, meaning the impact of the wash can be particularly violent.

George Elliott, owner of Ludham Bridge Boatyard, and Karina Karabina who moors her boat in the area. (Image: Phoebe Ozanne)

Ms Karabina has made a sign urging holiday makers to slow down. (Image: Phoebe Ozanne)

One boat owner, Karina Karabina, has now put a sign up urging people to slow down.

"People onboard are being thrown off balance, belongings are damaged, and there is a genuine risk of injury.

"From the middle of February until the end of October it is mayhem, with maniacs wreaking havoc on the river.

"This is not simply a matter of inconvenience — it is a public safety concern on a well-known and heavily used national waterway.

"If anyone drive like that in their cars, what an outrage it would be. I don't see how this is any different on the boats."

Tommy Brain, who has moored his boat in the area for six years, with his dog. (Image: Phoebe Ozanne)

Tommy Brain, who has his boat moored in a basin, said he has still had people ram into his boat despite it being away from the main river.

"It is not right - they just race past here," he added.

George Elliott, the owner of Ludham Bridge Boatyard, has also been left infuriated by those exceeding the 4mph limit in the area.

"Respect has to be given," he said.

"Roads and rivers are the same - you have to respect what you are going by. More needs to happen."

Many people moor their boats at Ludham Bridge. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

They are asking for hire companies, such as Herbert Woods and Richardson's, to do more to discourage speeding on the waterways and for the hefty fines to be enforced if they are caught.

Speeding vessels can be reported to the Broads Authority and action taken against them.

The organisation's rangers are also on the lookout for boats going too fast.

In 2024, 3,095 boaters were given warnings by rangers in the summer for various reasons, including speeding and controlling a boat without care and caution.