ANGLERS have been banned from four prime spots on the Broads during the high boating season because of disputes at moorings.The Broads Authority has implemented the ban from June 16 to October 31 at moorings at Postwick Wharf and Bramerton on the River Yare and Worlingham and Beccles on the River Waveney.

ANGLERS have been banned from four prime spots on the Broads during the high boating season because of disputes at moorings.

The Broads Authority has implemented the ban from June 16 to October 31 at moorings at Postwick Wharf and Bramerton on the River Yare and Worlingham and Beccles on the River Waveney.

Indignant anglers have pointed out that Postwick Wharf is especially popular with disabled fishermen due to its accessibility.

However, Trudi Wakelin, the Broads Authority's director of waterways, said the ban had only been brought in because of growing numbers of disputes between anglers and boaters at these locations.

She said: 'There have been cases of anglers refusing to let boats moor, and boats have even had maggots thrown over them. It can be quite intimidating for boaters.'

She said the action had been agreed after consultation with anglers through the Broads Angling Strategy Group and the navigation committee.

'It is not a ban, because anglers will still have access to these sites throughout the rest of the season, from November 1 to March 14.

'And at both Beccles and Postwick Wharf there are alternative fishing spots to the moorings.'

She said the vast majority of moorings on the Broads were still open to anglers.

Angling correspondent, Roy Webster, said: 'Conflict between anglers and boaters has been going on for years and it is not just one way. Boaters are frequently discourteous to anglers. The only solution really is give and take.'

He said could he understand the Broads Authority's action but stressed that it did effectively amount to an outright ban at these spots, because over the winter the fish disappeared into boatyards and there were none in the river to catch.