Horning Passenger Ferry, River Bure, Norfolk Broads

Freedom Cruisers is sorry to report the cessation of the Foot Ferry Service, connecting Horning with Woodbastwick and saving a 9.75 mile round trip by road.

Freedom ran this service from 2009 until 2012, keeping up a ferry service that can be traced back hundreds of years in Horning. The loss of the ferry service is particularly sad and we are sorry to have to make the decision.

The 2012 season sees the Broads Authority introducing new regulations for Small Passenger Boats which make the running of the service more onerous. Freedom, along with other passenger service operators, was consulted on the propopsed regulations in 2011 and certain regulations were considered to be "show-stoppers" and we reported this back to the authority. Sadly, our concerns seemed to carry no weight and the regulations were introduced.

In addition, the tolls for the ferry boat are crippling high and it all adds up to being a service that is not financially viable any more.

We have had conversations with the Broads Authority to ask for assistance but they were unable to help. We have had some discussions with other parties who expressed an interest in keeping the service running, but the facts are that the ferry cannot support a wage on its own and the regulations and running costs are too great to justify it without significant modifcation of the service itself, probably to a point of it being unattractive to the public.

We never say "never", but for now, the Horning Ferry service has ceased. Thank you to everybody that's supported the service over the last four years.

Boat for sale?

We are currently seeking other uses for the Ferry Boat and would consider selling it. It's an ex-ship's lifeboat, approximately 26 feet in length, has a Lister 3 Cylinder Diesel, air-cooled Engine on a manual gearbox and shaft drive. The gearbox was rebuilt 2/3 years ago and the engine also had a major overhaul. The boat has a solid metal spine and is remarkably stable.

We would be seeking offers in excess of £4500.