Plans to breathe new life into the the Golden Mile along the A4 have been welcomed by Brentford Chamber of Commerce.

But the organisation, which represents businesses in the area, says transport improvements are urgently needed as congestion is already at 'crisis point'.

The group today responded to plans unveiled last week by Hounslow Council to create more than 28,700 jobs and build 1,580 new homes along the corridor between Gillette Corner and Chiswick Park.

In a statement, it said the plan would attract new businesses to the area and help those already there.

However, it claimed transport improvements, including new rail links to Southall and Willesden Junction, should be prioritised to take the pressure off already clogged roads in the area.

"The exciting proposal for the future of the Golden Mile will undoubtedly encourage new business and provide the long awaited investment to bring this historic area back to life," read the statement.

"This plan will also help retain established businesses and create the new dynamic Brentford deserves. The increased development at BSkyB and future new premises for Brompton Bicycles is extremely encouraging: keeping existing successful businesses in Brentford is vital to the local economy.

"Our primary concern is that there will be insufficient local infrastructure to support this growth. Congestion is already at a crisis point in both Brentford and Chiswick and a plan for agreed and workable transport links is of significant importance.

"There are to be approximately 10,000 apartments built within Brentford over the next ten years. This, coupled with the 29,000 employees predicted to come into the area, means that it is critical to get the balance right in order to ensure that all development plans, both for the future of the Golden Mile and Brentford as a whole, work harmoniously and successfully.

"Brentford Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Council's initiatives and looks forward to working closely with all parties to ensure that Brentford experiences the business resurgence and growth it so richly deserves."