Thames lock staffing controversy

IT WAS way back in 2009 (Lock keepers reach agreement—NbW 12/01/2010) that the lock keepers on the Thames rebelled against the Environment Agency who wanted to not only sell their cottages but cut staffing at the locks.

The lock keepers managed to extract a new contract covering a range of terms and conditions with the Environment Agency agreeing to maintain a resident lock and weir keeper at all locks along the Thames.

Cut staff

But last year the Agency once again tried to cut staffing levels and sell cottages, with this week a meeting being held concerning the controversy, that included leasing up to nine lock keepers' houses.

There were many protests from boaters with even their concerns being brought up in Parliament, that resulted in a meeting between the Thames Users' Group and Environment Agency Chairman Lord Smith.

Just five

The result of the meeting was that is was decided to let just five houses on a trial basis, but designate a full-time lock keeper at those locks, although not in residence.

There is now a study group jointly chaired by Simon Hughes from the Environment Agency and Michael Shefras of the Users' Group, which has a wide remit that also cover the future sustainability of the river.