Unmanned lock situation today.

[Teddy]

Journey from Walton to Windsor today (Monday) 4 out of 6 locks were unmanned!! No doubt Boulters will be unmanned again tomorrow.
This seems to be an increasing occurence and surely is quite unacceptable. We pay the EA a lot of money for less and less. I realise that the lock keepers are trying their best to improve the manning situation but I think we should voice our complaints too.

If you have been experiencing similar problems I suggest you email the EA on waterwaysthames@environment-agency.gov.uk and tell them what you think. Also, have a look at the following link to "Help the Thames Lock Keepers" and sign their Petition.

https://www.gmb-sothern.org.uk/ea-petition

Happy boating.

 

[Chris_d]

The link has a spelling error try this: Environment Agency Lock Keepers Petition

 

[oldgit]

Even the Thames, a Jewel in the Crown of Navigations was eventually going to be exposed to the "realpolitik" started in the 1980s.
The EA, a department entirely dependant on DEFRA for money, has had its funds cut by 50% over last few years.
It has trouble recruiting and retaining staff at all levels.

Would suggest to all Thames boaters that the EA has already probably got enough complaints to be going on with for now .
What is in short supply is practical suggestions for a long term solution from complainees, where exactly is the money is going to come from to solve the problem.
Ps. The public purse is firmly shut.
Do recall complaints from boaters that the lockies should not be idling and standing around between each lock operation but rather jet washing the lock chambers as green slime had been marking fenders on boats.

This year as always we have quite a few boats with plans to visit the Thames to enjoy its many attractions.

 

[Mushroom2]

I forget which day last week it was, but there were 19 manned locks out of the 44 (or 45 inc Teddington).

 

[oldgit]

10m. Boat MDL Penton Hook £5000 PA. ?
10m. 40 Square feet. EA registration fee £1100. PA. ?
One of these organisations has 45 locks and 150 miles of river to maintain.
One of these organisations will check if you have insurance and possibly a safety certiificate howver cannot be bothered to check if any of the craft in their marina has a valid registration for the river.

Penton Hook claims to have 575 berths in its marina .

 

[Chris_d]

Thames boat owners fined for not registering vessels
Perhaps they should have fined the marina too?

 

[oldgit]

MDL have 3 marinas on the Thames with 1150 berths.
In PH 575 berths and 125 boats found with no valid registration.
Recall the fuss when it was suggested that the EA should actually be allowed to check boats in marinas.
Whats so difficult, no registration, moor elsewhere. ?
125 boats in one single marina.
No wonder some folks fought tooth and nail to keep the EA away from Cuts and Backwaters on this very forum not that long ago.

 

[ianc1200]

Six relief lockkeepers positions being advertised.

Lock and Weir Keeper - River Thames Navigations - Environment Agency

 

[oldgit]

Six relief lockkeepers positions being advertised.

Lock and Weir Keeper - River Thames Navigations - Environment Agency

Starting wage Henley on Thames lock keeper. £28.500. Before any deductions or leasing the Bentley.

2 bed house. Henley on Thames . £500.000.
.Rent. Henley on Thames. 2 bed Terrace £19.000 PA
Council Tax band B £1500

Lidle Cashier. £25.500

 

[Bran]

Those lock and weir keeper jobs are 18 months fixed term contracts. Strange.

 

[Neil1300r]

10m. Boat MDL Penton Hook £5000 PA. ?
10m. 40 Square feet. EA registration fee £1100. PA. ?
One of these organisations has 45 locks and 150 miles of river to maintain.
One of these organisations will check if you have insurance and possibly a safety certiificate howver cannot be bothered to check if any of the craft in their marina has a valid registration for the river.

Penton Hook claims to have 575 berths in its marina .

Penton Hook don't check any paperwork, insurance, BSS, licence. I bought a boat last year. In the contract it states you have to have them,but no one checks. The only thing they checked within an hour of arrival is the length of the boat

 

[oldgit]

A simple case case of who pays and how , if you still demand the level of service once provided.

One simple soul of my aquaintance innocently asked why not a small standing charge of some descripition ie the Registration Charge and then charge for each passage through a lock and do away with the free 24H public moorings and charge for each overnight stay.
Those that cause the wear and tear on the navigation pay their dues.

Easy to buy either online or in the form of vouchers available at any lock office inc Teddington.
Better ideas most welcome.

 

[ianc1200]

One simple soul of my aquaintance innocently asked why not a small standing charge of some descripition ie the Registration Charge and then charge for each passage through a lock

As it was in the 60's. You paid the TC for registration plus that covered you for your local locks, go further and you paid for each lock (I think, was only young at the time).

 

[harvey38]

Penton Hook don't check any paperwork, insurance, BSS, licence. I bought a boat last year. In the contract it states you have to have them,but no one checks. The only thing they checked within an hour of arrival is the length of the boat

Interesting, we get a notification from Ramsgate Harbour Office any time we are a day or two late providing our insurance details for each renewal. I have no issue with it as in the event of an issue, at least we are all covered.

 

[st599]

Penton Hook don't check any paperwork, insurance, BSS, licence. I bought a boat last year. In the contract it states you have to have them,but no one checks. The only thing they checked within an hour of arrival is the length of the boat

Presumably they've received the same advice as those who run racing - insurance is a requirement but not checked by the organisers. Then they can't be accused of missing something.

 

[oldgit]

As it was in the 60's. You paid the TC for registration plus that covered you for your local locks, go further and you paid for each lock (I think, was only young at the time).

Exactly the same on the upper Medway.

 

[Time Out]

I forget which day last week it was, but there were 19 manned locks out of the 44 (or 45 inc Teddington).

Well Teddington is effectively closed from 1700 - 0900 ( except 90 mins on incoming tide) so whilst it’s manned it’s a useful as a chocolate tea pot for the entirety of this season.

 

[oldgit]

Visitors coming round would need to ensure they arrive no earlier or later than that 3 hour window.
That would be our normal plan ie, arrive at Richmond just after the gates lift to arrive at Teddington about 30 mins later ?

 

[Time Out]

Visitors coming round would need to ensure they arrive no earlier or later than that 3 hour window.
That would be our normal plan ie, arrive at Richmond just after the gates lift to arrive at Teddington about 30 mins later ?

If you are outside of 0900-1700 then you have approx 90 min window BEFORE top of tide (incoming tide only) otherwise wait for 0900. Obviously you can moor at Tedd Harbour if you don’t make it.

All to do with the pressure on the gates etc.

 

[TipsyWaitress]

According to the last notice its just 0900-1700 last lock at 1630.
No mention of the 90 mins before high tide outside of those hours.
Teddington Barge Lock closure 2025: river closure notice