Lock Keepers - Thames

[byron]

Another issue raised relates to ‘out of hours’ power & lock keys - this is a thorny issue! We would like to provide ‘out of hours’ power at all powered locks but the electronic infrastructure is very expensive so we can only upgrade as we replace the existing systems. From a health and safety perspective we do not want to provide these keys to untrained users as PGD discussed.
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I can understand many of the reasons for not issueing keys but not the 'untrained' one. It would be an easy matter to have a prospective keyholder spend a day on a lock as an assistant. (Jeeze! even John Redmond started out as a summer assistant.) The criteria I would see you worrying about would be inconsiderate boaters going through locks at night music blaring, engines running and pissed. This too could be sorted...One warning followed by confiscation. You could even have a trial run by allowing only Riparian Owners keys initially. Personally I feel Riparian Owners should be allowed a key as a right anyway.

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[BrendanS]

Many users and ex-users of EA waterways would love the chance to spend the day as an assistant lock keeper.

Wonderful way to learn the operation of a lock, and pick up tips and hints, and a perfect opportunity to watch how to successfully negotiate a lock, or not on some occasions.

If the EA provided this opportunity free of charge, they could gain themselves a pool of emergency lock assistants who live close by and could fill in for vacancies due to illness etc. I'd volunteer if the conditions weren't onerous.

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[byron]

<font color=blue>Many is the happy day I have spent helping out at a Lock. Nothing formal, just popped along for a cuppa slurp with the Keeper and ended up being there most of the day. You do learn a lot and see things from a different viewpoint too.

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[mike_kolling]

What about the points made by CRM about Hurley?

Just closing the matter is not very customer friendly is it?

Is there a complaints procedure in a situation like this and what can be done to escalate it if we are unhappy with the response?

Unfortunately not all of us live near the river to attend RUG meetings.


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[tripleace]

why not make it an intial day training and follow up days say 1 every six months (ie once a year that is season being approximately 6 months)?

EA would save money and get extra man power to help busy times or during the week when I presume its harder to get assistant help

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[PGD]

Andy, thank you for your comprhensive response and I'm glad you've now found the forum.

There are some very interesting points raised here and ones which I'd ask you to take away and progress through the correct channels within the EA.

As echoed here abouts I too would be more than happy to assit anywhere from Boulters Lock to Marsh, wife would even be available too as we have a common interest in the River.

As has been suggested, by Byron I think, why not try a trial, just with those that have provided comment, that's about 6 keys. Totally controlable and in the hands of well minded folk.

Intersting that it always falls upon us marketing folk to make the public statements /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

regards

Peter Davey

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