A bill to improve the safety of the Broads and how its waterways are run sailed through parliament today and will get the Royal Assent in the next week.

A bill to improve the safety of the Broads and how its waterways are run sailed through parliament today and will get the Royal Assent in the next week.

Following the successful passage through the Houses of Parliament the main rafts of the Broads Authority bill will be implemented from next April.

The new act will give the Broads Authority staff the power to give general directions to groups of vessels to divert them if there is a safety issue and remove any riverside trees or vegetation that pose a risk to craft.

Vessels will also have to get compulsorily third party insurance and a licensing scheme for hire craft will mean they must have life jackets and face safety checks.

The authority will also be given more powers to regulate water skiers and wake boarders, including compulsorily insurance, log books for all vessels and training for boat drivers.