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Flood watch: Web cameras could be set up on the River Thames

WEB cameras could be put up at weirs along the River Thames in a bid to improve safety, the Environment Agency has said.

Members of the Oxford Flood Alliance quizzed the agency's Thames waterways manager, Eileen McKeever, about proposals to sell off or rent out almost half the lock-houses in Oxfordshire.

They were assured by the agency that the loss of lock-houses would not put residents at greater risk of flooding.

The agency revealed it was looking at placing web cameras at weirs along with new monitoring technologies to ensure safety was not compromised.

Ms McKeever said: "The meeting gave us an excellent opportunity to listen to residents' concerns and reassure them that we will still be providing a good level of service in Oxford and that the decision about the lockhouses will not increase the flood risk in Oxford.

"We discussed with them some of the new technology we are currently investigating, which include web cameras for weirs and other new communication systems.

"We have been asked to look at new technology, and ways it can increase information about the river, by river users and this is part of that.

"We are not selling Godstow or Sandford Lock, so that we maintain operational control of the sites should we need them in the future."

Richard Thurston, a co-founder of the Flood Alliance and chairman of the Osney Residents' Association, said: "We feel enormous sympathy towards lock-keepers who face the threat of losing their homes and perhaps even their jobs, although we were told there will be no compulsory redundancies.

"There is considerable concern about how the rivers and weirs will be managed.

"But we were given assurance that the the agency has done a proper flood risk assessment.

"We left with greater confidence that the agency is making some provision for regular patrols, with staff able to respond quickly at times of emergencies.

"This will be backed by new technologies, that are now being looked at."

Ten lock-houses out of 22 in the region are set to be hived off.

The move is designed to bring in much needed cash.

However, the publication of the 'hit list' has now raised fears of lock-keepers and their families facing real hardship.

They will be forced to rent - losing the main benefit of what is a relatively low-paid job.

Lock-houses at Godstow, Culham, Wallingford, Sandford-on-Thames, Little Wittenham, Buscot, Shifford, and St Johns near Lechlade are set to be rented out.

The two houses to be sold are in Laburnum Road, Botley, and Garth House at Rushney, near Faringdon.

6:06am Friday 2nd May 2008

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