The ferry will create a low carbon, enjoyable river experience linking two communities; Thorpe St Andrew (15,000 pop) with Whitlingham Country Park; a developing outdoor leisure, glamping & event venue. As well as Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre at Trowse Similarly people visiting Whitligham can take the ferry over to Thorpe Marshes (Norfolk Wildlife Trust) Nature Reserve. The river crossing will provide a safer & pleasant link in a SUSTRANS cycle route, instead of a perilous narrow 1m wide strip over the A47 flyover, unseperated from lorries.
What we'll deliver:
- Market via web site, newspaper, social media, & create tribe interest with applications 4 apprentice ferry person.
- Commission an electric powered ferry boat for 6 people & cycles, improve two landing stages, install signage.
Why it's a great idea:
The re-establishment of the ferry will open up a forgotten public right of way, that will greatly increase non- car access to areas of managed countryside, drawing in leisure & tourism. Thus benefitting locals, businesses & the environment which if appreciated will be better maintained. School field trips to the NWT nature reserve have been hamperd by lack of mini-bus parking, but ample parking exists on the opposite side of the river, which the ferry will enable, and what better way for kids to go on a field trip than by a river crossing?
Steps to get it done:
- Gates, fencing & signage erected
- Marketing starts with news coverage about looking for an apprentice ferryman, and builds with social media.
- An existing Dory 13 will be upgraded & fitted with electric propulsion.
- Concrete steps & slipway will be added to existing landing stage.
Plans to link the ferry by a low carbon Pony & trap or electric buggy, from a car park on 'safe' side of a railway level crossing over a Nature Reserve to the Ferry, will manage any potential increase in activity over the level crossing, and greatly add to the Broads experience. A river taxi service will be set up to increase accessibility by water into Norwich city.
