Sorry I disappeared so abruptly but I felt I was being intimidated and I was being accused of taking 'cheap shots' at the EA. I have received feedback from a River User Group giving their unanimous support for the Lock Keepers, so much so they intend to form an action group. If you are involved in your local RUG, please make your feelings known.
Once again thanks for all your messages of support, to the poet laureates for their poems (you may well find these pinned up in lock offices). I feel this is becoming a political issue and would urge you to contact your MP to stop the cutbacks in funding. There is a very real risk that understaffing will increase flood risk.