Delayed at Penton Hook

[boatone]

Just in case there should be any doubt, my starting this thread was a) to inform other river users of the problem at PH and b) to draw attention to the lack of communications with boaters regarding a significant river closure.

The speed with which the EA responded and fixed the problem itself was commendable. The problem arose mid morning on a Saturday and apparently required divers and other specialists to resolve. That it was sorted and the lock back in use by Saturday evening was pretty good going so well done to all involved.

 

[TrueBlue]

Just in case there should be any doubt, my starting this thread was a) to inform other river users of the problem at PH and b) to draw attention to the lack of communications with boaters regarding a significant river closure.

The speed with which the EA responded and fixed the problem itself was commendable. The problem arose mid morning on a Saturday and apparently required divers and other specialists to resolve. That it was sorted and the lock back in use by Saturday evening was pretty good going so well done to all involved.

Being able to call the lock to report an incident or more for me - to ask if their blurry pump-out is working is one of the lynch pins.
Previously when I've needed to report a lock mechanism failure - the call centre wanted a post code (?WTF?) and was unable to deal with it.
Fortunately Dave was at home and kindly turned out. The call centre is a national service dealing with all EA matters, of which The Thames is a tiny part

This and having lock keepers at all is what makes the River a special place (otherwise we'd be on the narrow ditchy stuff for about a third of the price.

'Our' services are slowly ? being whittled away; this current change AND not being notified about it either shows that the EA don't give a 'poo'. Perhaps it's part of the softening up process where the Thames will be parcelled up and passed over to the 'ex-London-Transport' mob.

We need a boaters' protest.....

 

[prof pat pending]

Very rarely are lock phones answered now.

All the staff have blackberries and the contract we have allows free calls between them. So , to save money , staff call around on their mobiles. Landlines are connected to the fax at the lock and usually just allowed to go to fax.

That is why he lock phone numbers are not published any more.

To save money?? The landline is still there, so still being paid for, does anyone even use fax these days?
I doubt that the Blackberry calls are free, I expect the contract that provides free calls is somewhat expensive.
Not having a pop at you T_L

 

[TrueBlue]

To save money?? The landline is still there, so still being paid for, does anyone even use fax these days?
I doubt that the Blackberry calls are free, I expect the contract that provides free calls is somewhat expensive.
Not having a pop at you T_L

As the level of lock keeper services decline, no summer assistants, no volunteers (unless the lockie is 'present'), reduced reliefs - then the system is going to be unmanned much more than it has been in previous years.
SO the EA is softening users up - no point in ringing the lock - as there's nobody there. Much more sensible to ring a call centre who know diddly squat about the Thames and whose staff have been trained by mobile phone companies to be ineffective.

Over stated? maybe, but try it sometime......

 

[Alan ashore]

I have absolutely no problem with a one-stop-shop call centre provided it's fit for purpose. In the present context that means the agents having access to real-time information on lock status, incidents etc, and being in a position to connect me to appropriate specialists (e.g. a lock keeper!) should that be needed.

I do wonder about things that hitherto could only be done by phoning a lock - booking the excellent camping at Cookham, booking mooring space in various places, etc etc.

A.

 

[oldgit]

"As the level of lock keeper services decline, no summer assistants, no volunteers (unless the lockie is 'present'), reduced reliefs - then the system is going to be unmanned much more than it has been in previous years."


Has the timewarp portal at Teddington finally surrendered to the horrid 21st century with all its fiscal realities.
Surely not....

 

[boatone]

Has the timewarp portal at Teddington finally surrendered to the horrid 21st century with all its fiscal realities.
Surely not....

Got a feeling that if Peel Ports demanded £700 squids a year from you it might change your view of things?

 

[Flynnbarr]

Got a feeling that if Peel Ports demanded £700 squids a year from you it might change your view of things?

He's had to go and have a lie down.