The Environment Agency have announced a U-turn on their decision to get rid of residential lock keepers in the Thames Valley area. After six months of reviewing their initial decision, the Environment Agency has decided to retain ownership of the 52 lock houses that are either on or adjacent to lock sites and thus retain the invaluable skills of the lock keepers. Theresa May has welcomed the announcement, particularly as lock keepers at Boulters Lock and Cookham Lock were both under threat.
Theresa pointed out that the Environment Agency were very unlikely to make any real savings through the disposal of lock houses. She also expressed anger that there would be a reduction in the standard of service to river users at a time when boaters on the Thames face an inflation busting 12% hike in navigation licenses each year for three years.
Commenting on the decision, Theresa said, “I am thrilled that the Environment Agency has listened to a strong local campaign by MPs, river users and the lock keepers wives, and decided to keep the residential lock keepers. MPs across the region worked together to fight the decision at every step of the way and this is a victory for common sense.“
“From our discussions with the Environment Agency it became clear just how weak their case for getting rid of the lock keepers was. The Environment Agency officials were not able to provide exact figures for proposed savings and furthermore they could not even guarantee that the removal of resident lock keepers wouldn’t cost more money than keeping them.”
They agreed to review their decision following a meeting organised by Theresa May and Martin Salter, MP for Reading West, with the then Environment Minister at Cookham Lock.
Theresa continued, “The Environment Agency’s decision will help to protect this unique part of the nation’s river heritage and the tradition of lock keepers living at the site of locks. Our residential lock keepers play a vital role from ensuring the safety of the public who enjoy the waterways to stopping anti–social behaviour, or even helping to prevent flooding. The resident lock-keepers are always the first point of call and I am thrilled that they will continue with their important jobs.”
Kim Benge of Cookham Lock said, “We are thrilled with the news today regarding the lock houses, much work still needs to be done but we are truly delighted with this outcome and we can’t begin to thank all the people who have supported the lock keepers and their families enough, the River Thames is a safer place today because of it.”
