Brayman
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Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1352
Loc: Bucks
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Press release
For immediate release 2 June 2008
Environment Agency lock keeper case crumbles in face of opposition from local MPs
Local MPs will meet a government Minster about the removal of resident lock keepers in the Thames Valley, in light of the poor case put forward by the Environment Agency for their removal.
Local MP Theresa May joined MPs from across the Thames Valley on 1 June to meet officials from the Environment Agency to discuss the proposed removal of resident lock keepers in the Thames Valley, and sale of lock keepers cottages. The meeting, which was also attended by local lock keepers and river users, gave MPs the opportunity to question the Environment Agency about their plans to sell off lock keepers cottages and remove resident lock keepers.
Maidenhead MP Theresa May, who is campaigning strongly for the lock keepers, said:
"From this meeting it became clear just how weak the Environment Agency’s case for getting rid of our lock keepers is. Environment Agency officials were unable to say how much money they would save, nor could they guarantee that the removal of resident lock keepers wouldn't cost more money than keeping them.
Perhaps most worrying was that officials did not seem to realise how much service is provided by resident lock keepers and how important it is to river users. Far from convincing MPs that the cuts were needed, the meeting made MPs realise just how important the lock keepers are. Whether it’s keeping junior rowers safe, stopping anti–social behaviour, or helping to prevent flooding, the resident lock keepers are always the first point of call. We want it to stay that way and we now look forward to putting the lock keepers case across to the Waterways Minster."
ENDS
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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No_Regrets
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Reged: 09/07/2007
Posts: 1392
Loc: Welwyn Garden City, Herts UK.
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Encouraging news, Thanks for that!
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The scourge of Windsor, and notorious founder member of the 'Upper Thames Birchwood Massive' now outlawed by the EA and River pressure groups, currently planning a nice comfy retirement in the aft cabin of a Broom.
Now can anybody recommend any non-marking slippers?
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byron
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Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 6831
Loc: UK -Berks
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Whew! Some common sense from the House of Commons.
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http://www.oceaneagle.fsnet.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk
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Brayman
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Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1352
Loc: Bucks
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Makes a change doesn't it!
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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boatone
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Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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Quote:
Whew! Some common sense from the House of Commons.
[cynicmode] Nah...just politicians looking towards votes and popularity [/cynicmode]
So, it appears its neither BW or the EA that run the Thames....its obviously the Lock Keepers 
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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Brayman
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Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1352
Loc: Bucks
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If only..................
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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apollo
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Reged: 12/09/2003
Posts: 1185
Loc: Thames
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Sounds promising...
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boatone
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Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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Where did that press release come from Ian?
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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Brayman
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Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1352
Loc: Bucks
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From a reliable sourse...........and
For your further information:
1. The meeting was held at 16.00 in Parliament and was attended by the following MPs: Philip Hammond, Theresa May, Adam Afriyie, Paul Goodman, Martin Salter, Dominic Grieve and Rob Wilson. It was also attended by representatives of David Cameron, Ian Taylor, David Wilshire and Dr Evan Harris.
2. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Maidenhead Rowing Club, the Inland Waterways, Thames Awash commercial boat users and a working Lock Keeper from the Thames Valley.
3. A meeting has been agreed to and a time is to be set, with DEFRA Minister Phil Woolas MP.
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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boatone
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Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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Nobody from the EA then...?
And only about half the Thames based MP's and the Early Day motion has only attracted 22 MP's signatures thus far..........
Guess there's an awful lot of water to flow over the weirs before the Reds will come down on this one.........
However.....Parliament is where it needs to happen and the main problem still remains....the EA Thames Division needs more money - lets hope the furore at least gets that message across.
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
Edited by boatone (03/06/2008 21:10)
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boatone
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Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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Quote:
2. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Maidenhead Rowing Club, the Inland Waterways, Thames Awash commercial boat users and a working Lock Keeper from the Thames Valley.
Dunno why you need to be so secretive about the source - I will assume it came from Theresa May's website as its there verbatim (although not a press release.)
Anyway, doesnt that list of representaitives say it all about the totally disorganised state of interested river parties? Who decided who to invite?
I'd never heard of Thames Awash before, had you? Apparently part of the National Flood Forum - website HERE
Who are the 'Inland Waterways' ?
Maidenhead Rowing Club ???? aaahhh Theresa's constituency
Pretty balanced set of viewpoints then?
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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Chris_d
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Reged: 15/06/2001
Posts: 1617
Loc: Oxfordshire
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Your right its a strange gathering surprised some of the RUG group didn't get there, however a surprisingly positive outcome even if some of the reasoning was flawed.
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JECuk
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Reged: 22/01/2008
Posts: 254
Loc: Mid-Thames
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Glad my MP Goodman went. He isn't keen on EDMs apparently but said he would get involved.
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Lady Gay
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teddington_lock
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Reged: 23/10/2007
Posts: 300
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Quote:
And only about half the Thames based MP's and the Early Day motion has only attracted 22 MP's signatures thus far..........
Early Day Motion has 34 signatures ( as of the 4th ) , perhaps 12 more signed up overnight ?
Still a very small percentage though of total MPs.
Taylor, Ian
Bottomley, Peter
Hopkins, Kelvin
Dismore, Andrew
Hancock, Mike
Prentice, Gordon
Simpson, Alan
Jones, Lynne
Meale, Alan
Cryer, Ann
Vis, Rudi
Pope, Greg
Moss, Malcolm
Drew, David
Evans, Nigel
Wareing, Robert N
Main, Anne
Mates, Michael
Oaten, Mark
Wright, Tony
Davies, Dai
May, Theresa
Mercer, Patrick
Scott, Lee
Salter, Martin
Luff, Peter
MacKay, Andrew
Cable, Vincent
Caton, Martin
Etherington, Bill
Hamilton, David
Battle, John
Walter, Robert
Farron, Timothy
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Brayman
regular
Reged: 27/11/2006
Posts: 1352
Loc: Bucks
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Quote:
Your right its a strange gathering surprised some of the RUG group didn't get there, however a surprisingly positive outcome even if some of the reasoning was flawed.
I was also surprised that no ATYC/RUG members seem to get there. BUT, at least some action going forward.
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How come I am over the hill but I never made it to the top?
http://www.braycruiserclub.co.uk
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boatone
regular
Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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Apparently, the EA were represented by Peter Quornby, EA South East Area Manager, Eileen McKeever and Jill Anderson, HR Manager Thames Region.
No EA 'senior management' so one has to ask if Thames were being lambs to the slaughter or somebody further up didn't feel it was important enough to field the big guns?
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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Bilgediver
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Reged: 06/06/2001
Posts: 1468
Loc: Scotland
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Sounds like the Nits at the EA didn t do their homework and shot themselves in the foot !!!!
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Eastern Scotland and beyond.
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JECuk
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Reged: 22/01/2008
Posts: 254
Loc: Mid-Thames
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Goodman has signed the EDM now and asked this question in the House on 5 June:
Mr. Paul Goodman (Wycombe) (Con): The Leader of the House will have read early-day motion 1587, which was tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Esher and Walton (Mr. Taylor) and is about the proposed sale by the Environment Agency of 22 lock-keepers’ houses along the Thames.
[That this House is concern ed about the Environment Agency’ s proposal to dispose by sale or letting of 22 lock-keepers’ homes along the Thames; recognises the importance of lock-keepers being resident in homes adjacent to locks 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 protect this unique part of the nation’ s river heritage and the tradition of lock-keepers living at the site of locks.]
Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the motion so that those of us with constituencies adjoining the Thames can express constituents’ concern about the effect of that proposal on river users, lock-keepers and their families, safety and the social ecology of the Thames?
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Lady Gay
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boatone
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Reged: 29/07/2001
Posts: 6846
Loc: Surrey uk
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To which the Leader of the House replied:
Ms Harman: I note the points that the hon. Gentleman has made and suggest that he considers requesting a debate in Westminster Hall or on the Adjournment of the House.
I think that means 'no' as opposed to 'NO'.
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"Don't tell me why not, tell me how..."
ThamesBlog
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JECuk
regular
Reged: 22/01/2008
Posts: 254
Loc: Mid-Thames
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It means he can call for a ballot on whether to allow a debate. Yes, a soft no.
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Lady Gay
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