Date: Thurs, June 12, 2008  (Your letters)


Lock-keepers play vital role

Sir, — I write on behalf of Shiplake Parish Council to express our concerns at the proposed sale of relief lock-keeper premises along the Thames as part of a cost cutting exercise by the Environment Agency

Our lock-keepers play a vital role and do an excellent job. They work unsocial hours and it is imperative that they are on hand in the case of emergencies day or night. With the ‘greenhouse effect’, the Thames is prone to ever increasing fluctuations in its levels, and their role therefore has become even more critical.

These are the people who really understand how the river changes following different rainfall patterns and are best placed to manage it. Without their knowledge and work our ability to control the Thames will be lost with the attendant risk to people and property.

If any of the resident lock-keepers are unavailable to operate the weir, it is the relief lock-keeper that will be called upon to carry out this essential duty. The proposal by the Environment Agency to sell their houses can only be a short term financial expediency, but in the longer term this will have negative effects. Due to low pay, relief lock-keepers keepers will not be able to buy or rent in this area.

The EA plans to operate with a significantly reduced year-round, full-time lock staff during the critical winter months and to recruit additional seasonal summer staff. Why, when there are experienced staff on hand already?

The EA strategy for the future will have significant consequences for all river users and riverside communities. After the flooding in recent years one would have thought lessons had been learned, We strongly urge the EA to reconsider their ill thought out proposal. — Yours faithfully,


C. R. Dean, Chairman, Shiplake Parish Council