Press Release from David Suchet

[jane1]

Has anyone seen the Press Release from David Suchet, Chairman of the River Thames Alliance? It says:

"The EA has attempted to implement policy that involves dispensing with a number of lock keeper homes to save money.
I am implacably opposed to this action. As Chairman of the River Thames Alliance, my post bag has been full of informed comment and not a singe voice has expressed anything other than total opposition to the course of action proposed by the Environment Agency.
I am urging the EA to reconsider this matter yet again, even from the current moratorium that has been announced for the remainder of this year.
All proposed action on the sale or renting out of lock premises must cease. All options to improve the management and service on The River Thames must be collated by stakeholders with the Environment Agency. At that time, meetings between the Environment Agency, their consultative groups, staff, stakeholders, MPs and Defra can then decide on the most appropriate way forward.
The River Thames Alliance will hold its AGM at the Henley Rowing Museum on Thursday July 10th by which time I truly hope to have received the assurances I am looking for."

 

[Chris_d]

I'm confused, is the The River Thames Alliance the same as the River Thames Society /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif or are these separate organisations, what with the ATYC, RUG groups, various Trade reps etc.... not sure who is best to represent us as Thames users. At least the Forum seems to have the ear of the EA with Angelaq.
Poirot does seem a little late to the party /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jane1]

I have quoted from the River Thames Alliance website: "The River Thames Alliance is a partnership of public and private sector organisations, set up in June 2003 to help manage the future of the non-tidal Thames. There are now 78 member organisations of the Alliance which is chaired by David Suchet."
Essentially the Alliance has been set up by the EA, members include Local Councils, River User Groups, National Trust, English Heritage, National Association of Boatowners etc etc. The main aim of the alliance is to implement the Thames Waterways Plan. More info can be found at riverthamesalliance.com.
I don't think its too late for David Suchet to speak out and I am sure the Lock-keepers' wives would be more than happy for him to join the campaign!

 

[Chris_d]

Don't get me wrong his voice is more than welcome, in fact probably carrys more weight than some others anyway. I just agree with B1 that there seems to be no single voice for the Thames users, maybe the RTA is it.