This is the latest in the saga of Thunder Broad, an excavation near the foot of Thunder Lane in Thorpe.

It's also a cross thread with the Lightside.
According to the EEN, Thorpe Council are being asked to take it over as another landlocked nature reserve

This is a modest gravel extraction just inside the North Bank of the Yare to the East of Commissioners cut.

Its value as any sort of enclosed reserve is severely limited because it abutts the busy local railway line which crosses Thorpe Island before branching off in various directions.

The only real potential of this site is if the containing bank were removed and it became a wide pleasant stretch of open navigable broad and river in the Norwich approaches.

This small broad could then become a true River Gateway to Norwich.

It would also revive Norwich Frostbites sailing club and give them a fine open stretch to compete on.

The old picnic grounds at Whitlingham would have a beautiful piece of water stretching in front of them.
The sharp bend just before the Rowing Club, where all the coasters used to run aground, would be removed.
Commissioners Cut could be extended to provide a Thorpe Parish Staithe and visitor moorings for craft able to pass under the A47 viaduct, but unable to enter Thorpe River Green or the port of Norwich because of Railway bridges.

It is such a good idea, that it almost certainly will not happen.

1. Another bridge would be bad news
2. The lady who thinks that nature reserves are for walking her dog is deluded.
3. Some permanent moorings on this new stretch of water would help regenerate the Yare.
4. Visitors moorings may save the odd punter trying to sleep at Norwich Yacht Station.
5. One wide stretch of river would be wonderful.

You could say I agree! OF

The latest Google update gives a clear view of the potential for Thorpe (or Thunder) Broad,
Commissioners Cut lies at the top of this view, and merely needs extending to the railway line to make some good near-Norwich commercial moorings, and/or visitor moorings.
Any further spill removed could make a fine screening old fashioned railway embankment over to the right.

The resultant area of Broad Water, gained by removal of the bank around the gravel extraction would make a lovely feature, incorporating the river channel, and going some ways towards compensating for the landlocked sterility which is Whitlingham.

The alternative is also obvious. It's a tiny, unlikely nature reserve, plagued by constant train noise, containing a small, flooded gravel pit, and surrounded by all the water-gypsy abuse, which plagues it today.