Topic: | Brentford is closed! | |
Posted by: | Reg Ghosh | |
Date/Time: | 04/01/19 12:15:00 |
From Brentford Today on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/brentfordtoday/permalink/374200276675074/?__tn__=K-R THE GREAT BALLYMORE SILENCE BRENTFORD IS CLOSED. WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING – IN SIX MONTHS' TIME! AS ANGER AND SUSPICION GROW, THE TOWN GETS IMPATIENT. As half the high street turns into a ghost town, and Brentford people wait for snippets from on high, Councillor Mel Collins puts it succinctly: "The drip-drip effect just fuels anger and suspicion to the local community." Bang on, Mel. Cllr Collins adds: "We are in exciting times. Let us be open and celebrate the fact." Then he pleads rather desperately: "Is it possible to give a more comprehensive outline as to what is actually happening over the next few months?" Good question. So Brentford Today put it to Ballymore HQ. External Affairs Manager Jennifer Ball said: "Thanks for reaching out. In terms of further communications, we will be opening an information centre on site this summer, which will feature exhibition space and site models. We are working towards the launch of this amenity intended to engage and inform local people, and improve awareness of plans. More news on this will be available in the coming months." IN THE COMING MONTHS! THIS SUMMER! Are they joking? If they want to engage us, they are going the wrong way about it. Council leader Steve Curran seems as frustrated as anyone. He says: “I’m already in discussion with Ballymore to ensure that we have clear communications by the end of January.” However that's just a "discussion". Ballymore's official position refers to "summer" and "months". Surely Brentford deserves better than this. The south side looks like one of those Wild West ghost towns after the gold mines run out. It'll soon fall down on its own, with tumbleweed blowing along the footpath. You walk past shutters and barred doors and find the post office which bears a scribbled note: closed. Brentford's heart is in cardiac arrest. Well, if it's going to be redeveloped, you'd expect closures at some point. Understandable. What you don't expect is the utter lack of detailed information. It's rude, it's disrespectful. Look on Hounslow council's website. Almost nothing. Look on Ballymore's website. "Reinvention Meets Restoration," it says. "16,250 sq m of new retail floorspace, a 3000 sq m grocery store, a gym and leisure centre and an arts centre/cinema. Retaining several heritage buildings and thoroughfares…" Where's the detail? Where's the plan? Or don't ordinary Brentford people matter? Cllr Guy Lambert says they are "pressing our friends Ballymore to communicate more speedily!" Note the word "friends". Nobody wants to fall out. Ballymore are big and powerful but this is not some minor development on the outskirts. It is right at the heart of Brentford – half the high street is about to be knocked down – hence it is called Regeneration. It's not just a few flats. It's Brentford itself. The biggest change in a generation, perhaps ever. People are asking, quite rightly: "Why are we not being kept fully informed?" Otherwise confidence in the project is being undermined, day by day. Brentford Today stands with Cllr Curran. The people of Brentford need to be told exactly what is happening. And when. They need to be told very soon. |