Putting boaters in danger

IN REMOVING fire  fire extinguishers and ladders from Thames locks the Environment Agency is putting boaters lives at risk, claim members of a user group.

A spokesman for the Thames River Users' Group, called the plans 'absolutely ludicrous', and having severe health and safety implications, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Endanger staff

The Environment Agency wants to remove both fire extinguishers and lock ladders—the latter being used to rescue people that have fallen into the locks—its reason being given as 'they could endanger non-trained staff in emergencies'.

Lock keepers have access to the equipment, including ladders that have been in use for 40 years. However, some staff had raised health and safety issues about the heavy ladders, the Environment Agency imply.

Untrue

Donna Dowling, however, from the GMB union, which represents many of the lock keepers, retorted:

"This was absolutely, fundamentally, and categorically untrue. Lock keepers are vehemently opposed to it and actually want the lock ladders to remain in place."