67 Lawn Close
Datchet
Berks SL3 9LA
5 June 2008
Dr Paul Leinster (Acting CEO)
Environment Agency
Rio House, Waterside Drive
Aztec West, Almondsbury
Bristol BS32 4UD
Dear Dr Leinster
Disposal of Thames lock houses.
You may be aware that EA Thames Region has plans to dispose of a number of River Thames lock houses with resulting consequences to lock keepers and their families.
I attended a meeting at the House of Commons where, when questioned by some MPs, your employees simply failed to answer the questions and justify their proposals.
For your convenience, I have inserted below a press release from Teresa May MP.
I respectfully request that you immediately suspend these plans, thus allowing time for proper consultation.
Yours sincerely
Ewan Larcombe
Copy:
Chris Smith
Sir John Harman
Local MPs and Councillors
Media
Press release
For immediate release 2 June 2008
Environment Agency lock keeper case crumbles in face of opposition from local MPs
Local MPs will meet a government Minster about the removal of resident lock keepers in the Thames Valley, in light of the poor case put forward by the Environment Agency for their removal.
Local MP Theresa May joined MPs from across the Thames Valley on 1 June to meet officials from the Environment Agency to discuss the proposed removal of resident lock keepers in the Thames Valley, and sale of lock keepers cottages. The meeting, which was also attended by local lock keepers and river users, gave MPs the opportunity to question the Environment Agency about their plans to sell off lock keepers cottages and remove resident lock keepers.
Maidenhead MP Theresa May, who is campaigning strongly for the lock keepers, said:
"From this meeting it became clear just how weak the Environment Agencys case for getting rid of our lock keepers is. Environment Agency officials were unable to say how much money they would save, nor could they guarantee that the removal of resident lock keepers wouldn't cost more money than keeping them.
Perhaps most worrying was that officials did not seem to realise how much service is provided by resident lock keepers and how important it is to river users. Far from convincing MPs that the cuts were needed, the meeting made MPs realise just how important the lock keepers are. Whether its keeping junior rowers safe, stopping antisocial behaviour, or helping to prevent flooding, the resident lock keepers are always the first point of call. We want it to stay that way and we now look forward to putting the lock keepers case across to the Waterways Minster."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The meeting was held at 16.00 in Parliament and was attended by the following MPs: Philip Hammond, Theresa May, Adam Afriyie, Paul Goodman, Martin Salter, Dominic Grieve and Rob Wilson. It was also attended by representatives of David Cameron, Ian Taylor, David Wilshire and Dr Evan Harris.
2. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Maidenhead Rowing Club, the Inland Waterways, Thames Awash commercial boat users and a working Lock Keeper from the Thames Valley.
3. A meeting has been agreed to and a time is to be set, with DEFRA Minister Phil Woolas MP.
1. The lock houses identified as suitable for sale by the Environment Agency are:
Laburnam Rd, Oxford
Boulters Gardens, Maidenhead
Ray Mill Rd, Maidenhead
Bell Weir, Staines
Penton Hook, Staines
Thames Side, Chertsey
Garth House, Rushey
Sunbury No. 2
Hailey Wood Farm Cottage
Glade Rd, Marlow
The lock houses identified to retain and rent to 3rd parties by the Environment Agency are:
Chalmore Hole Cottage, Wallingford
Buscot
Cookham
Godstow
Days Lock, Little Wittenham
Shifford
Sandford, Oxford
Culham
Sunbury No. 1
St. Johns No.2
Blakes, Reading
Old Windsor