Urban waterfront developer, Waterside Places – a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse and the Canal & River Trust – together with partners, McAleer & Rushe and London Borough of Hounslow, have lifted a key piece of infrastructure into place at Brentford Lock West, which will unlock the final phase of regeneration and bring people together in the town.
The new bridge across the Grand Union Canal has active travel at its heart and will be accessible to pedestrians, buggies and cyclists, but importantly will substantially reduce travel time to Brentford train station and wider areas of the town. The works include improvements to Robin Grove Recreation Ground with Waterside Places also contributing funds towards lighting, CCTV and landscaping improvements.
The team is already on site having demolished existing warehouses to clear and prepare the site ready for the third and final phase of the development, as well as building a new bus depot for Metroline, which operates several bus routes across London.
The enabling works are being completed ahead of the main development works, which will begin in 2024. The final phase of this vibrant and diverse neighbourhood will deliver 452 new homes, including 187 affordable, alongside flexible commercial space.
A new public square will be fronted by commercial and retail spaces, along with a new frame overhanging the canal, which mirrors the existing overhanging warehouse and recognises the industrial heritage of the area. Towpath improvements, new mooring facilities and the renovation of the existing dock will enhance this stretch of the waterway. To promote sports and leisure activities, a new waterfront community facility will be provided for use by local sports clubs.
Connecting communities in Brentford from McAleer & Rushe on Vimeo.
James Hanford, Senior Development Manager at Waterside Places, said:
“Connecting communities and places, is what we’re all about. This bridge will do just that and we can’t wait to see it open to the public.
“Together with our partners, we’ve been working in Brentford for many years, unlocking an unused area of the canal and transforming it into a stunning waterside community, that’ll leave a positive, long-lasting legacy for many years to come.”
Dan Bowring, Syon and Brentford Lock Ward Councillor, said:
“Brentford is a town of bridges, in a little over two square miles we have over 30 bridges, amidst a deep and rich history which saw Anglo Saxons, Romans, and Celts all crossing the river here. Even the name Brentford means ‘to cross the river Brent’.
“This bridge is the latest chapter in that story, and it’s a beautiful accessible bridge, utilising quality British engineering, and architectural elegance. But more than just being beautiful, it is playing a vital part in the wider drive to connect and transform Brentford, breathing new life into a previously isolated and cut off area.
It’s important that new developments in the borough have a positive impact on the wider community and this project is helping to bring our communities closer together and unlocking access to the canal, green spaces and the new retail and leisure offering.”
Jonathan O’Neill, Senior Director at McAleer & Rushe, said:
“Our team on site engage with the local community on a daily basis and have felt the excitement to see this new bridge open which will have a tangible positive impact for years to come. Having delivered Phase 2 of the canalside homes back in 2018, we are thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to return to Brentford Lock West to continue its transformation in both infrastructure improvements and the creation of new homes.”
Since the creation of the multi-award-winning Brentford Lock West community began in 2012, over 300 homes have been delivered, including stylish town houses and apartments in a neighbourhood street setting carefully designed to maximise the water frontage.
