Green candidate calls for 'ban' on petrol boats on the Broads

An MP candidate standing in the Broadland constituency says he would seek to "ban" petrol and diesel boats on the Broads if he is elected.

Jan Davis, who is the Green Party candidate, said such motors needed to be "phased out" in order to protect the waterways.

The Broads Authority has previously said it hopes to encourage boaters to switch from petrol and diesel vessels to electric craft but has no intention to prohibit the use of fossil fuel boats.

Mr Davis said: "This is such a wonderful place to live and we're getting sewage discharges and chemical compounds leaked into our watercourses. Certainly, fossil fuel boats need to be phased out and banned.

"There's a tremendous opportunity for green tourism here. People would be willing to pay extra for an electric boat - it's quieter and you get to see more wildlife."

Mr Davis sailing on the Broads (Image: Jan Davis)

Much of the Broads are covered by the Broadland constituency.

Mr Davis was one of the first Green members of Broadland District Council and believes the party is set for growth across Norfolk.

The 70-year-old, who previously worked as an engineer, has spent much of his campaign in the new Waveney Valley constituency, which is one of the Green Party's General Election target seats.

He said: "I've spent just as much time in Broadland and Fakenham but our issue is that we don't have the large resources of other parties.

"That's why I'm needed down in Waveney Valley."

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Mr Davis at his campaign launch in Diss (Image: Jan Davis)

Mr Davis is opposed to the £274m Norwich Western Link road, which has been plunged into doubt due to the presence of rare barbastelle bats, protected by law, along the proposed route through the Broadland and Fakenham constituency.

He said: "It's ludicrous - the money could be spent on services that we really need but instead it is going towards concrete and tarmac.

"We need to improve our roads and make them safe but people want to protect their countryside."

He is standing for election against the Lib Dem's Leyla Hannbeck, Reform UK's Eric Masters, the Conservative's Jerome Mayhew and Labour candidate Iain Simpson.