New access to one of the most popular Norfolk Broads tourist hotspots has been celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to the Norwich Evening News.

The improved access was celebrated at Salhouse Broad after work by City College Norwich construction apprentices was completed. It is hoped that a new 50m boardwalk at Salhouse Broad will vastly improve access for frequent visitors to the Broad who use wheelchairs, scooters and buggies - who were previously restricted by a muddy path with a difficult incline.

The construction of the majority of the boardwalk was carried out by five second-year construction apprentices from City College Norwich, with preliminary works and final touches assisted by the Norfolk and Suffolk Probationary Trust's Community Payback team.

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Tobi Baker, countryside ranger at Salhouse Broad, said: "We were really lucky to get a group of enthusiastic young people involved in this project. It is important for the youth of today to see what a difference they can make to their community and this boardwalk really proves that."

The five young apprentices, who attend City College for one day a week – Emanuels Jurjavicus, Rhys Marjoram, Rhys Waring, Dylan Ames and Joshus Mallett – worked together to measure out the area where they were upgrading the path, cleared and dug out the ground, cut wooden slats to fit and levelled the boards for an even finish.

City College Norwich workforce consultant, Campbell MacKellar, who worked with the young apprentices on the project, added: "This has been a brilliant experience for the students. There was a real sense of accomplishment in starting with a blank canvas to completing the finished section of boardwalk by the end of the week."

(HMc/GK)