Lockkeepers houses - Early Day Motion

[Brayman]

House of Commons - Early day motion - loss of lock keepers homes.


Ian Taylor MP has alerted all the MP's along the Thames where lockhouses are threatened and he is hoping they will sign an 'Early Day Motion' which he will table in the House next week. He has also written to the Chairman of the EA, and has asked for a meeting with Peter Quarmby. Finally, he has also written to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

The Early Day Motion says:
"That this House is concerned about the Environment Agency's proposals to dispose of 22 lock keepers homes along the Thames; recognises the importance of lock keepers being resident in homes adjacent to lock to maintain safety on the River; fears for the welfare of the lock keepers and their families and calls on the Government to ask the Environment Agency to re-examine its decision so as to prevent this unique part of our river heritage and the tradition of lock keepers living at the site of locks being lost."

If you haven't already contacted your MP, please do so and ask them to sign the Early Day Motion (EDM).

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Have written to my MP, Michael Mates, East Hants, asking him to sign the EDM and give it his full support.

 

[No Regrets]

Grant Shapps has been similarly 'lobbied' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the info, as always /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[rr_123]

useful website here for finding out who your MP is if you're not sure (and all the local councillors...) with links to contact them via "http://www.writetothem.com".

As mine is the MP for Runnymede (surely amongs the most historically significant bits of the Thames... ) and Weybridge, he ought to support this!

 

[jecuk]

Paul Goodman also.

 

[miket]

Ian.
I have emailed the RYA Cruising dept (as a past Council member and current member), that purports to represent motor boat owners, requesting their visible backing.
Let's see if they take the opportunity to show that they really do look out for motor boats and Inland matters.
I have suggested that they can obtain background from Mike Shefras, RYA Thames Valley, and/ or Chris Turner, ATYC.

 

[No Regrets]

What a difference.

A week ago, I contacted Downing Streets website to open up a petition, and so far nothing has happened.

Earlier today, I emailled my local MP about the EDM, and got a response immediately, followed by this reply...


[ QUOTE ]
Dear John and Claire,

Many thanks for your email regarding the EDM about lockkeepers housing.
I look forward to carefully studying the EDM, with a view to signing it,
provided that suitable measures are proposed.

Thank you for your support, and thank you again for getting in touch -
please do not hesitate to contact me again about this or any other
issue.

With best wishes

Grant Shapps MP
Welwyn Hatfield


[/ QUOTE ]


LABOUR 0 CONSERVATIVE 1

 

[Brayman]

No response from my Tory MP /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

>>>
Dear Mr. Fanner,

I have been asked by Michael Mates to thank you for your message. He has noted your support for Mr. Taylor's proposed Early Day Motion and will consider your request when it is tabled and he has seen its precise content. He very much hopes to be able to sign it.

Yours sincerely,
Janice Dust
Secretary to Michael Mates
>>>

Conservative +1

 

[miket]

RYA legal and cruising have replied very quickly.
They are aware of it and with help from the User Group representative who sits on Council (I guess Mike Shefras) are following up on our behalf. They also enclosed a follow up newsflash from EA (their website) which tries to allay fears. Not sure if it does for me but then I am a sceptic when it comes to EA. Seen them in inaction before.
I have requested that RYA try to give it some coverage in their Email newsletter, to show they do do things for us on the Thames.