The idea
This historic stretch of the Thames is where Caesar forded the Thames, the Grand Union Canal starts, and where Brunel built his London depot for the Great Western Railway. It also has the word heritage site at Kew.
Our beautiful piece of architecture will be a beacon of local pride and will link these two historic areas. Brentford is due to double in size it will provide a much needed new open space with dramatic vistas.
Joining the Thames path on both sides, it will open up open up new walking / cycle networks – avoiding the heavy traffic on Kew Bridge.
Linking other green spaces and parks – Syon Park, Boston Manor, Osterley House, Waterman's Park, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park – it will improve access and use, encouraging fitness and wellbeing.
It will provide a much needed boost for the local economy by connecting commerce and culture – Kew Gardens and Richmond town centre with Waterman's Art Centre, London Museum of Water and Steam, local businesses and Brentford FC.
What we'll deliver
- Engineering and architectural designs for the bridge – April 2018
- Pre application planning application – June 2018
- Set up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (or equivalent) to help take the bridge forward - November 2017
- Topographical, Utilities & Environmental surveys to address key issues on building the bridge April 2018
Why it's a great idea
The Thames between Kew Bridge and Richmond Lock Bridge is one of the longest stretches without a crossing. Our bridge opens up access between Brentford and Kew Gardens, Richmond and Barnes.
We plan an iconic design with the bridge spanning the river in a single graceful arc, a steel backbone with wooden ribs and will provide fantastic vistas of this section of the Thames.
Our bridge will: -
• improve transport with links to Thames Path, Capital Ring, Grand Union Canal, Cycle Superhighway 9 and London Loop.
• It will provide a new commuting route to Golden Mile, Great West Road, where 15,000 are employed.
• Help the environment by reductions in car journeys
• Improve health by encouraging walking and cycling
• Will bring additional visitors to Brentford and Kew, with consequential benefits for local business.
• A new recreational open space and help reduce urban stress
• Help regenerate Brentford’s town centre / boost the local economy
• Bring together a diverse neighbourhood
Steps to get it done
- Architectural design, visualisations, 2D & 3D, approaches for disability, consultations with planning by Spring 2018
- Engineering design, with minimal associated transport, navigation, environmental assessments by Spring 2018
- Set up Charitable Incorporated Organisation to oversee work on bridge by November 2017
- Topographical, Utilities and Environmental surveys to support planning application by Spring 2018
- Submit pre planning application by summer 2018
Brentford has numerous proposed developments – but these provide few new amenities and puts pressure on existing infrastructure.
The bridge will provide a dramatic new open space and iconic landmark. It will link with Brentford's traditional roots to the Thames, the Grand Union Canal, its boatyards and the new Brentford Marina – making Brentford more of a cultural/historic destination.
Brentford’s heritage sites include Syon Boston Manor and Osterley houses and grounds, as has new projects such as the new Waterman's Arts Centre.
Once disdained from the Kew side, Brentford will be part of a more widely accessed cultural and industrial heritage. Indeed the bridge will land at Kew Gardens, the world heritage site with its own deep history of Royal Palaces and Gardens.
Linking Kew to Brentford's industrial past - and future (home to many high tech companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Sky Broadcasting) affords a unique opportunity to bring these communities together.
