Brayman
Well-Known Member
Just received this:
Thames Lock houses summary briefing update
We have reviewed how we can improve our management of the River Thames.
Part of this review looked at our 57 lock houses and we have identified 22 houses that could be sold or rented without impacting on flood risk or our service.
No lock-keepers will be made redundant or homeless as a result of this decision.
We have had useful discussions with Unison, who have asked that any sale or rental of lock site houses is postponed until the negotiations on terms and conditions is complete. We have agreed a plan with them for these negotiations which will start the week commencing 16 June and should be settled at the end of the year.
We have listened to the concerns of MPs, river users and the unions and we will now take the opportunity to rent out four of the properties originally identified for sale on a trial basis as they become available.
We still intend to sell six houses. Four of these are not on the lock site and the other two are the second house on the site. We have agreed that we will rent out the further 16 properties, that we do not need for our operations, when they become vacant. We are confident that this can be done while still maintaining a good level of service on the river.
We will continue to work on a five year phasing for the rental or sale of these properties and we will review the cost benefits in November 2010.
All 45 locks will continue to be manned on a roster basis as they are now, providing help to boaters and managing water levels.
We have a positive vision for the future of the river set out in the Thames Waterway Plan. This was agreed with our customers, businesses and government in 2005.
In the last three years we have invested over £15 million improving the Thames as a waterway. This level of investment will continue over the next three years, not only improving the lock structures but developing the river by providing:
More and better facilities such as 24 hour moorings, toilets, showers.
Better access to the river with more and better slipways.
More staff on the river to help customers when they most need it.
17 June 2008
May be more to report after tonight's ATYC meeting. It seems that they are listening.
Thames Lock houses summary briefing update
We have reviewed how we can improve our management of the River Thames.
Part of this review looked at our 57 lock houses and we have identified 22 houses that could be sold or rented without impacting on flood risk or our service.
No lock-keepers will be made redundant or homeless as a result of this decision.
We have had useful discussions with Unison, who have asked that any sale or rental of lock site houses is postponed until the negotiations on terms and conditions is complete. We have agreed a plan with them for these negotiations which will start the week commencing 16 June and should be settled at the end of the year.
We have listened to the concerns of MPs, river users and the unions and we will now take the opportunity to rent out four of the properties originally identified for sale on a trial basis as they become available.
We still intend to sell six houses. Four of these are not on the lock site and the other two are the second house on the site. We have agreed that we will rent out the further 16 properties, that we do not need for our operations, when they become vacant. We are confident that this can be done while still maintaining a good level of service on the river.
We will continue to work on a five year phasing for the rental or sale of these properties and we will review the cost benefits in November 2010.
All 45 locks will continue to be manned on a roster basis as they are now, providing help to boaters and managing water levels.
We have a positive vision for the future of the river set out in the Thames Waterway Plan. This was agreed with our customers, businesses and government in 2005.
In the last three years we have invested over £15 million improving the Thames as a waterway. This level of investment will continue over the next three years, not only improving the lock structures but developing the river by providing:
More and better facilities such as 24 hour moorings, toilets, showers.
Better access to the river with more and better slipways.
More staff on the river to help customers when they most need it.
17 June 2008
May be more to report after tonight's ATYC meeting. It seems that they are listening.
