Former Thames Navigation and Recreation Manager John Redmond, speaking in support of the IWA’s campaign said: 'I am saddened to think that Thames managers are unable to find other efficiency savings that would have less of a permanent impact on the wellbeing of the River Thames, its users and local residents. Having staff living on site and being generally available as the first port of call for weir work and emergencies has proven its worth time and again over the years.'

In response the EA made it clear in a statement today (Monday) that lock staff will not be made redundant under plans to review the way in which the River Thames is managed. The EA said it had been running the river in the same manner for 40 or 50 years, and it needed to modernise its working practices.

The decision to sell 10 of its 57 lock houses – and rent out a further 12 – was made two weeks ago, after they were identified as not being needed for operational reasons.

'Speculation about jobs being lost as a result of these changes to the lockhouses is just not true, and I want to categorically state that we will not be making people redundant,' said Eileen McKeever, EA Thames Waterways manager. 'There will still be lockkeepers on site during normal hours and we will still be providing a lock keeping service as we always have done. We already operate with more than 20 lockkeepers not living in houses on or by the river.'

Ms McKeever added the EA will not be making people homeless. 'We will ensure that all staff and their families have a suitable house to go to.'

We are sympathetic to the fact that this will mean a major change for some families, said Ms McKeever, and we will be working with those affected over the coming months and years to help them through these changes. We will continue to hold face to face meetings with staff to keep them informed.'