At the first meeting of the Traders group in many years (February 2006) it was suggested that a major problem was lack of parking and loss of passing trade. 

Since the May local elections work has been done to investigate the ownership of brown field land opposite Classic Eyes, Brentford.  Council officers have advised that it will cost £65k to bring this into operation as a car park with cost recovery over about 5 years.

Despite some concerns that if re-development of the South Side of the High Street goes ahead in the next few years this up front investment will be lost, increased foot traffic and passing trade is felt to be essential to the short term survival of many shops on Brentford High Street.

Almost 100% of the necessary investment has been identified through S106 funding by late November 2006.  The issue was discussed in depth at the local area committee meeting on Thursday 23 November 2006 (officers report below).  A majority of councillors were committed to ensuring that the project is progressed with urgency.

At the local area monitoring meeting on Thursday 29 March 2007 an initial £5k of S106 funding was approved for detailed plans and costings to be produced for the new High Street car park enabling it to go forward for planning permission.  A further £35k (approx) of suitable S106 funding has been identified, leaving a shortfall of £20-25k.  Whilst the detailed plans and costings are produced further work will be undertaken to address the funding shortfall.

A detailed proposal for the car park (pgs 21-28) came back to local area committee on 30th August 2007. The proposals for a 20 space car park received the backing of the local area committee and is now going to the Council's Executive for final approval of parking charges. The Council's Street Management and Public Protection (SMPP) department then had to apply for planning permission. 

RESULT!  A temporary free short-stay car park opened on the site opposite Classic Eyes/ Brentford Lock in the week of 3rd December 2007.  Please let friends outside Brentford know how much easier it is now to shop on High Street. 

A formal planning application went to the local area planning committee and sustainable development committee in January 2008.  Cllr Dakers spoke in support of the application and then withdrew from the meetings (so as not to prejudice the decision). 

The car park was closed for tarmacing in the New Year 2009 and re-opened on Thursday 19 February 2009.

Cllrs Andrew Dakers, Paul Fisher, Jon Hardy and Matt Harmer collaborated closely with local traders on the campaign to deliver the car park.