Forum Topic

Brentford Dock and Dukes Meadows Footbridge

Much as I am looking forward to trying out the new footbridge for the first time, it may be the case that this has not been a good week for those of us who enjoy walking by the Thames.An article on BrentfordTW8.com has highlighted how the residents of the Brentford Dock estate have managed to successfully exclude the public. This is a tragedy particularly as new routes were being opened up for people to reach this area from Chiswick keeping closer to the Thames Path and the Kew Bridge tunnel made them more accessible for many.

Diane Brown ● 1345d21 Comments

People pay a lot in monthly service charges on the Brentford Dock estate for this area. One of the main reasons they had restrict access was because the huge Ballymore development was expecting their residents to have full access to that area.It's not like the Brentford Dock residents would have access to the new developments gyms and pools.

Basil Finnis ● 1344d

KEEP OUT signs are becoming common in Brentford.Too many owners still hogging access to the the riverside... and we're not just talking about the Duke of Northumberland's estate.For over 100 years .hard working Brentford residents have deserved more.From Kew Bridge to the London Apprentic pub in Isleworth there are barriers of sorts.

Jim Lawes ● 1344d

Every new developmnt built on the Thames beween Chiswick Mall and Isleworth since about 1980 - in fact probably since the GLC built Brentford Dock (exclusively for council tenants until much of it was sold to the highest bidder)- has had to provide ample free access to the river bank if they built there and to undertake for the cost of maintainance in perpuity. It's a policy set by the council (and indeed part of a much more comprehensive scheme known as the Thames Path.)I live across the River Brent looking across to the Dock. We are not a cul de sac like the Dock and have walkers going through our estate and heading onwards towards central Brentford or Kew/Chiswick. We pay our heavy service charges and despite that in general welcome residents from all the surrounding areas (including the Dock) and look forward to the lively town we expect to see when Ballymore and another link of the Thames Path opens up in a year or two.All the thousand people who have enjoyed free access to their river and canals for decades are expecting their access to improve everywhere, except one of the prettiest and valued pieces, from which they face being excluded.

Guy Lambert ● 1344d

Doesn't the fact that people have been walking through this area for over four decades establish a right of way?

Diane Brown ● 1344d

No barriers I've seen except the ones coming on Brentford Dock. Of course, some estates have private garden sections but the riverside path is protected everywhere except a small area where there is resident boats (Victoria Steps) and a few boats who actually own a couple of meters of the river bank.Where are these KEEP OUT notices Jim - I haven't seen them

Guy Lambert ● 1344d

I'd have thought getting access to the mile of so of riverside blocked by Syon House would be more worthwhile, without which the Brentford Dock path is just a dead end.

Peter Evans ● 1344d

I think I am correct in saying that the section of the river in front of Syon House is the first part of the Thames at which it flows naturally i.e. no embankment. Therefore it would have broader environmental impacts if the Thames Path was extended here.

Francis Rowe ● 1343d

You will have read the article on the front page...on the Brentford site.You may be aware also...via BRENTFORD VOICE... that Hounslow Council  might be engaging expensive lawyers to fight this prohibition.I sat next to a lady on a bus yesterday and we engaged in interesting conversation. She lived in Brentford Dock and was fully supportive of restricting public access to their river and canalside location.They pay their maintenance chargesto keep the place tidy..amongst other things. But it's OUR local scalleywags  who let Brentford down again. Some of their disgusting habits ruin things for the rest of us.Urinating and depositing poo on your homeland is no fun to tolerate. Litter is bad enough.I've come to the conclusion that Brentford Dock are right and Hounslow Council and Brentford Voice should tonedown their opposition.No wonder the Pump House Crescent estate of apartments (behind Holland Gardens) is fenced in too ..to keep out Green Dragon Lane swalleywags (if they exist).Summarising... these badly behaved locals spoil life for all of us and we should accept that  and not force the issue.I loved looking at the River Thames from outside Justin Court at the Dock... but no more. Thank you scalleywags.Forum Home

Jim Lawes ● 1340d

Sorry but this is ridiculous. If any of the behaviour you cite has happened it has been extremely rare and I doubt it has happened bar on a couple of occasions, if at all, over the years. It is too easy to come out with this sort of nonsense - I could say that Brentford Dock residents have harassed older people (including me!), have dropped litter etc. in my road but where would be the proof? Why would outsiders' behaviour be any different on the Dock than elsewhere? How many 'badly behaved locals' take to walking over the Dock and in any case the Dock will have their own share - owners and renters alike - who fit that category. It surprises me, after all your other posts, that you should be so easily persuaded. Why not take a walk over the Dock and see just how quiet it is and always has been in my experience.

Anne England ● 1340d

I was told that Ballymoor had the pathway in their prospective brochure. It's since been removed. Hounslow Council seem to be very interested in helping Ballymoor residents gain access to the Brentford Dock.Why is it so keen to please this property developer?

Basil Finnis ● 1340d

Amongst the new blocks of flats on the Ballymore Development (the Brentford Project) Basil,there is a pathway (near Sam's Larder) that leads to a new footbridge over the Canal. As one steps off the footbridge (and onto Brentford Dock territory)one is confronted by KEEP OUT signage and notices to do with cctv cameras. I dispute Anne England's above reply.I won't go into detail.

Jim Lawes ● 1339d

Unless I am very badly informed the 'new' footbridge has been there for decades and is mainly to assist residents of Brentford Dock getting into the rest of the town. In fact a couple of resident residents were the ones who came off the bridge and directed me where I would find the new Sam's cafe within the Ballymore estate.

Guy Lambert ● 1339d

I spoke to operatives employed by Hounslow Council today Anne...with you in mind.Complaints galore about disgusting behavior by scallywags around Brentford. ...very often after they have pruned hedges and other greenery.They said that they knew of some culprits but feared reprimanding them in casethe scallywag complained to the Council..leading to their possible sacking!I could go on. Pity that the behavior of a few.. spoils the life of the many.

Jim Lawes ● 1339d

"I spoke to operatives employed by Hounslow Council today.."Any relation to the ones who collect recycling and seem to delight in leaving litter lying about after their visits ?

Richard Greenhough ● 1339d

This from my favourite London blogger:https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2023/01/dukes-meadows-footbridge.html?m=1

Peter Evans ● 1338d

Pity the behaviour of a few spoils the life of the many.Agree, this happens far to often shame more cannot be done about it.

Janice Evans ● 1338d

Nobody who is employed by Hounslow Council prune hedges and other greenery, as you say. Your understanding of this rivals your understanding of recycling!Depending where they are 'pruning' anyone pruning will work either for Hounslow Highways (a private company) or perhaps a sub contractor, or possibly for Lampton (an independent company owned by the council). They will be more likely to get a medal than reprimanded!Nobody rationally fears representing 'scallywags' in fear of possible sacking. We have fined about 300 'scallywags' -usually £300 - over the last few months and issued about 200 additional warnings. We also have the police on the matter and an external enforcement company who concentrate on small issues (fag ends, gum, individual bits of litter) and this has increased a lot over the last couple of years. One of the areas of close attention is CHR and fly tipping is reducing greatly over the last year - quite am lot of it perpetrated by businesses who prefer not to pay their contractors but dump stuff on the street (though we want to decrease a lot more). We are also promoting our Recycle360 Commercial waste service which has won many customers in the last few months since they started last summer. They are much more professional than most of the commercial providers who in some cases turn up only when they feel like it.

Guy Lambert ● 1338d

That's good to hear.

Janice Evans ● 1338d

I spoke to an employee of a company employed by Hounslow Council Guy...outside the Trimmer Walk Depot.He said he and his colleagues trim hedges... which often get "polluted" by scalleywags.... matresses dumped.on top of their work and more. Can you suggest a less abusive name than scalleywag? If you walk around you see things and are able to talk to key people. However if you're on a bicycle...maybe you don't.Reality  is King!

Jim Lawes ● 1338d

So who's getting their bushes trimmed?

Basil Finnis ● 1337d

Many places in Brentford Basil...but maybe off Guy's cycling route!You're fortunate that I still haven't mastered the art of postings pictures on this Forum site. The distressing scenes of litter and dumping would put you off your seafood tea!

Jim Lawes ● 1337d