The Broads Authority has announced the facility will be available at both bridges to allow an experienced helm to navigate boats safely beneath the low, narrow crossings for owners and holidaymakers.

Norfolk Broads Direct will provide the service at Wroxham Bridge after it cancelled it for hire craft last year.

Phoenix Fleet will be operating the service for the Potter Heigham bridge.

The numbers of boats navigating beneath both bridges has dropped significantly in the past 30 years, a consequence both of newer boats being too large to squeeze beneath the crossings and rising river levels making it harder even for smaller boats to do so.

A boat struggles to navigate under Potter Heigham bridge (Image: Newsquest)

The bridge in Potter Heigham that was closed after a tug hit and damaged the stone work, dated October 1989. (Image: Newsquest Library)

Pilot services once took about 13,000 boats a year through Potter Heigham's medieval bridge on the River Thurne.

But last year, just one vessel was guided through and in 2024, there were none.

When the figures were revealed in September, Sue Cadamy - who operates a hire boat firm based in Hoveton - said that 99pc of boats cannot get through it anymore.

The landmark, built in the 14th century, is a notorious navigational hazard and has about 6ft of headroom to pass through, although this varies depending on water levels.

Enough room for a narrowboat under Potter Heigham bridge on the Broads in 2007 (Image: Newsquest)

In recent years, high water levels have made it nearly impossible to fit under, except for the very smallest craft, resulting in fewer boats visiting the Upper Thurne area.

The crossing is a frequent focus of videos showing failed attempts to pass through and all hire boats are required to use a pilot if they wish to go under.

Private boat owners can also use the service of a pilot.

People enjoying the river while watching a cruiser making its way under Wroxham Bridge 1978 (Image: Newsquest Archive)

A spokesman for the BA said: "It is great to see a collaborative approach in place to allow visitors to the Broads to continue access to these special parts of the waterways."

Phoenix Fleet will offer its service depending on the tidal level for a charge of £10 return for day launches, and £15 for yachts and cabin cruisers.

Norfolk Broads Direct will offer the same at Wroxham bridge for a return charge of £15 between 8.30am to 5pm seven days a week until the end of October.

© Eastern Daily Press