Shepperton Marina Link

Below is a press release from the EA which you may find of interest.

We have reviewed how we can improve our management of the River Thames.

Part of this review looked at our lockhouse locations to determine which best serves the public in providing:

• Management of flood risk
• Services to river users.

We have identified 22 houses that could be sold or rented without impacting on flood risk or our service.

No lock-keepers will be made redundant or homeless as a result of this decision.

We plan to phase this in over 5 years.

All 45 locks will continue to be manned on a roster basis as they are now, providing help to boaters and managing water levels.

We have a positive vision for the future of the river set out in the Thames Waterway Plan. This was agreed with our customers, businesses and government in 2005.

In the last 3 years we have invested over £15 million improving the Thames as a waterway. This level of  investment will continue over the next 3 years, not only improving the lock structures but developing the river by providing:

• More and better facilities such as 24 hour moorings, toilets, showers.
• Better access to the river with more and better slipways.
• More staff on the river to help customers when they most need it.

23 May 2008