A Waterspace Action Plan for Brentford
Brentford Voice says now is the time to reconnect with local waterways
Full accessibility is a key objective of the action plan. Picture: Brentford Voice
March 31, 2023
Local amenity group Brentford Voice has launched an initiative to ensure that as many residents as possible can fully enjoy the benefits provided locally by the River Thames.
It says, “The Grand Union Canal and the Rivers Thames and Brent have had a profound effect on the character and identity of Brentford and in very large part are responsible for our unique sense of place. Our waterways are the defining features of Brentford. They have a central role in telling the Brentford story; they are what made Brentford ‘Brentford’.
“Although we owe so much to our waterways, we have over the past 50 years or so turned our back on them and years of use and abuse have broken the intimate connection between Brentford, its community, working life, and its waterways. We hope that you also feel it’s now time to remedy this.”
Having already consulted with local people extensively on these issues it is still keen to hear the views of local people on the future of the area. One message that has been expressed consistently is how much people value access to our waterways, and their importance not only to Brentford's past but, more critically, to its future.
It has therefore decided to attempt to improve accessibility to the waterside areas through a Waterspace Action Plan to address the issues that currently prevent us from enjoying them to the full. Brentford Voice has chosen the term ‘waterspace’ to reflect the importance of both the waterside and the water itself.
This runs in parallel with the development of the Brentford Town Centre Master Plan will soon be subject to public consultation and Brentford Voice wish to ensure that our waterspaces are a key element.
The broad aims of the waterspace plan are to improve local quality of life, make Brentford a thriving and competitive place as well as a visitor destination, while preparing for the challenges presented by climate change.
Specifically, the plan has a wide range of objectives relating to topics including waterside access, ecology, water quality, water-based recreation, new bridges, a possible Heritage Harbour, and the needs of houseboat dwellers.
In the shorter term, it believes it is possible to get tangible progress by the provision of step-free access along the length of the waterside from Kew Bridge to Brentford Bridge, and thence to Boston Manor Park and Clitheroe’s Lock.
This would provide uninterrupted access to the waterside and remove the need to leave the waterside at some points, to walk along stretches of the High Street, before returning to the waterside.
The opening of Arch 3 under Kew Bridge has provided step-free access from Strand on the Green as far west as Victoria Steps. The map below shows the routes of the Thames Path (North Bank) National Trail and the Capital Ring. Improved step-free access is needed at the points marked.
Brentford Voice also believes that If access to our waterspace is to reach its full potential, a waymarking strategy is essential. This would be designed to draw residents and visitors alike along the waterside from Kew Bridge and from the Great West Road to Brentford Town Centre. There is also a need to provide clear signage to and from Boston Manor Park and Gunnersbury Park, and to the “museum cluster” (the Musical Museum, the Museum of Water & Steam, and Gunnersbury Park Museum).
If you would like to see an expanded version of the draft plan or provide any comments and suggestions email info@brentfordvoice.co.uk
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