Steel posts which were temporarily installed on bends on the River Ant to mark the navigation channel have been replaced by yacht-friendly markers in response to concerns from sailors.

Steel posts which were temporarily installed on bends on the River Ant to mark the navigation channel have been replaced by yacht-friendly markers in response to concerns from sailors.

The Broads Hire Boat Federation, a number of boatyards, the Broads Authority and Broadland Environmental Services Ltd (BESL) which is carrying out flood defence work, have contributed to the costs of removing the 30 steel posts, which the Authority has already replaced with green self-righting marker buoys.

Five posts were removed last week and the remaining three below Ludham Bridge are expected to be removed by tomorrow. The rest above the bridge will be removed next week.

Paul Greasley, a member of the Broads Authority's navigation committee and chairman of the BHBF which co-ordinated the change-over, said: “The posts were potentially a hazard for yachts particularly when running with the wind.”

Trudi Wakelin, Broads Authority's director of waterways, said: “I am delighted that the industry has found a solution that will please all parties. In recent times the River Ant has been greatly improved for sailing. It is wider, deeper, and hazardous piling and overhanging trees and scrub have been removed.

“Once the riverside reed bed has been adequately re-established we will remove the floating markers.”

The green posts, which stand 2m above high water level, were installed on bends between How Hill and Ant Mouth to warn sailors about the low banks created by flood defence work until reed growth had been restored.

The Broads Authority has sent a warning to boat hire yards that boats must take care to stay in the marked channel particularly over Easter when spring tides are forecast.