LOCK-KEEPERS' HOMES ALONG THE THAMES

That this House is concerned about the Environment Agency's proposal to dispose by sale or letting lock-keepers' homes along the Thames; recognises the importance of lock-keepers being resident in homes adjacent to locks to maintain safety and prevent flooding on the river; notes that moving lock-keepers away from the locks may reduce response times from 15 minutes to up to two hours; fears for the welfare of the lock-keepers and their families; and calls on the Government to ask the Environment Agency to protect this unique part of the nation's river heritage and the tradition of lock-keepers living at the site of locks.