Brayman
regular
Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1039
Loc: Bucks
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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).
-------------------- How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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Andrew_Fanner
regular
Reged: 13/03/2002
Posts: 5157
Loc: Hampshire
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Have written to my MP, Michael Mates, East Hants, asking him to sign the EDM and give it his full support.
-------------------- Two beers please, my friend is paying.
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No_Regrets
regular
Reged: 09/07/2007
Posts: 1054
Loc: Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK.
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Grant Shapps has been similarly 'lobbied' 
Thanks for the info, as always
-------------------- Birchwood Owners Association (BOA) forum now open here -> http://birchwoodboats.aceboard.com/ or
read about the weekly exploits of a Birchwood 25 here->
http://birchwoodboat.blogspot.com/
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rr_123
regular
Reged: 22/08/2007
Posts: 443
Loc: Surrey
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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!
-------------------- "Beer; the cause and solution for the world's problems..."
Homer. (Simpson)
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JECuk
regular
Reged: 22/01/2008
Posts: 206
Loc: Mid-Thames
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Paul Goodman also.
-------------------- Lady Gay
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miket
regular
Reged: 21/06/2001
Posts: 1407
Loc: N Hampshire
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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.
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No_Regrets
regular
Reged: 09/07/2007
Posts: 1054
Loc: Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK.
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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
LABOUR 0 CONSERVATIVE 1
-------------------- Birchwood Owners Association (BOA) forum now open here -> http://birchwoodboats.aceboard.com/ or
read about the weekly exploits of a Birchwood 25 here->
http://birchwoodboat.blogspot.com/
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Brayman
regular
Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1039
Loc: Bucks
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No response from my Tory MP
-------------------- How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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Andrew_Fanner
regular
Reged: 13/03/2002
Posts: 5157
Loc: Hampshire
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>>> 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
-------------------- Two beers please, my friend is paying.
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miket
regular
Reged: 21/06/2001
Posts: 1407
Loc: N Hampshire
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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.
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