Good customer service along the River Thames is to be recognised by two new waterways awards launched last week by the Environment Agency.

Voting opened on Friday (28 May) for the ‘Best Kept Lock Site’ and ‘Say it With a Smile’ awards. River users and other members of the public who visit the rural River Thames between Lechlade and Teddington are being asked to vote.

The Thames Waterways Awards have been put in place to reward the hard work of waterways staff across the Thames region, and to encourage good customer relations.

“These awards provide a chance for members of the public to let us know how we are doing on the River Thames”, said Gail Bradstock, Waterways Operations Manager at the Environment Agency. “They are a great opportunity to recognise the important work of all the Thames waterways staff in helping to promote the non-tidal River Thames as a great destination”. 

Votes can be cast online at www.visitthames.co.uk/awards from Friday 28 May to Sunday 31 October, with winners announced at a presentation ceremony in December.

When voting for the Best Kept Lock Site, river users are asked to consider general maintenance, gardens, cleanliness and availability of information. The Say it With a Smile award applies to all staff along the River Thames, from lock keepers and operations staff to those organising boat licences.

Everyone who casts a vote will be in entered into a prize draw, with the opportunity to win an overnight stay for two (with breakfast & dinner) at The Macdonald Compleat Angler hotel in Marlow, or get a 20% discount on next year’s River Thames boating licence.

The 2010 Waterways awards are kindly sponsored by Jacobs Engineering, Halcrow Group Ltd, Jackson Civil Engineering and Mackley Construction.