Lock-keepers and their families are being forced to leave picturesque homes in the Thames Valley to raise cash for the Environment Agency.

At least ten houses are to be sold and a further twelve are to be offered for private rental as the watchdog seeks to reduce spending and save on bills for building maintenance.

For those who have lived and worked for years in free tied housing the decision is a blow. But for many, a chance to live on or near the riverbank is the dream of a lifetime.

Houses and cottages are to be offered for sale or rental in Maidenhead, Staines, Chertsey, Old Windsor, Sunbury-on-Thames, Marlow, Cookham, Botley, Godstow, Culham and Wallingford. Aspirant buyers or tenants may have a long wait: the properties are not yet being marketed by estate agents and have not even been valued. Final transfers of lease or freeholds may take as long as five years.

The proposed sale sets the Environment Agency on a collision course with the union representating lock-keepers. Jeanette Roe, regional officer of Unison, said: “Not only is the agency planning to cut jobs but workers will be made to leave their family homes - all in the name of efficiency savings. Our members do a vital job, ensuring the safety of the public and the smooth flow of river traffic. They play an important part in the agency's flood defence duties through their operation of the weirs.”

The union is particularly concerned that alternative options for rehousing have not been put forward. The average lock-keeper's salary is £16,000.

Opposition is also being voiced by the Inland Waterways Association. which said that there had been previous problems after the sale of freehold assets. New owners with little or no interest in the use of navigation had attempted to use public nuisance laws to prevent activity on the waterways.

The Environment Agency defended the plan vigorously. A spokesman insisted that while some staff and families would have to move, no one would be made homeless or redundant.

The agency is to keep 35 homes and will reallocate houses as other keepers retire or leave their posts. Some staff will not be replaced. He said that the agency hoped to achieve the objectives through staff retirements and natural wastage with some workers leaving their posts for their own reasons.

The agency had not yet estimated how much it will save from the changes, he said: “It sho'uld be realised that not all of our staff live in tied accommodation. Many rent or buy independently. None of the properties involved are required for operational reasons.”

OUR LIFE IS BEING SNATCHED AWAY

The Drewett family were informed by letter two weeks ago that they would have to leave their tied cottage at Sunbury lock, Surrey.

Steve and Susan Drewett have lived at the lock cottage for 5 years. They have two sons, aged 5 and 3.

Mrs Drewett, 43, said: “We knew one day we would have to leave when my husband retired but to have it snatched away from us like this is something else. To the agency it is just bricks and mortar but to us it is our home and our livelihood.”

Mr Drewett, 55, has worked as a lock-keeper for 23 years. His wife said that even if her husband were fortunate enough to keep his job, they could not afford to live in the area on a lock-keeper's salary.

“The prime reason for lock-keepers is they are here to man the weirs. If we move out of the area what will happen if he gets the bus, train or bike to work? They are now talking about one lock-keeper running two or three locks. These guys do such an important job in preventing flooding as well. They are effectively dismantling the flood defence team.”

There are two cottages at the lock. One is to be sold, and the Drewetts' is to be offered for private rental. Mrs Drewett, 43, said: “This is a lovely place to live on the water but we don't see how we can afford to stay here if they charge a private rent.”

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