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EA to launch sell-off of Thames lock houses
The Environment Agency is to launch a five-year sell-off of lock houses on the Thames, MBM has learned.
It is not known at present just how many of the 57 houses - used to house lockkeepers and their families - will be sold or let to third parties, but it is understood to be around half.
The decision, which is unlikely to be welcomed by Thames boaters or lockkeepers themselves, comes at a time of tightening belts for the navigation authority, after boat numbers fell to a five-year low at the end of 2007, and budget cuts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
"Lockkeepers' houses were originally provided when working hours were longer and before telephones and cars made communications and getting around as easy as they are today," the EA said.
"As a Government organisation, the EA is required to dispose of any property for which it no longer has an operational need. As part of this, we have been reviewing the operational need for each of the lock houses."
The EA denied that the sell-off would affect navigation on the river, saying: "There should not be a dramatic change for those using the river. We are confident that we will still be able to manage the river without the houses identified for disposal being occupied by staff."
Despite repeated attempts, MBM was unable to learn exactly how many and which of the houses would be sold, as the EA said it was still discussing the move with those lockkeepers affected.
"We are aware that this is an emotive issue for lockkeepers and their families. We will be discussing with affected staff the possibility of rehousing them in another EA house as they become available so theirs can be vacated," the navigation authority said.
Motor Boats Monthly, 16 April 2008
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