Council continues the fight to retain lock keepers' cottages

The Royal Borough has pledged to keep up the pressure on the Environment Agency to scrap plans to sell a third of lock keepers' cottages along the Thames – despite the announcement of a six-month stay of execution.

Councillors last week approved three motions expressing 'horror and opposition' to the proposals to sell 10 of the 57 lock keepers' cottages on the Thames and cut 24-hour cover at those locks.

Despite the news of the EA's six-month reprieve, members voted at Tuesday's council meeting to keep up the pressure by writing to the EA, local MPs and central government expressing their opposition to the plans.

Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council, said: "There is very strong opposition among members of all parties to these plans and we are determined not to be deflected by the news of the six-month reprieve.

"We are committed to keeping up the pressure to maintain 24-hour cover at all locks and retain the lock keepers and their cottages.  Locks and weirs are extremely dangerous places and we will continue to impress on the EA just how important these men and women are for the safety of everyone using the river.

"An on-site round-the-clock presence is absolutely essential to monitor and react to flood emergencies as many critical lock locations simply may not be accessible in times of unexpected floods." 

Under the EA's proposals 10 properties would be sold and a further 12 rented out privately.  The EA will now carry out a further review of waterways staff which it is estimated will take six months.