Ambitious plans to create more than 28,700 jobs and build 1,580 new homes along Brentford's Golden Mile were last night unveiled by Hounslow Council.
The proposals include a dramatic overhaul of transport connections in the area, key to which is the creation of a 'Skyline' train link between Brentford and Southall, which could be opened in time for the completion of Crossrail.
The council has created a master plan outlining how it hopes to restore the shine to the 2.4 mile strip of the A4 between Gillette Corner and Chiswick Park, which was a hub of industrial activity in its heyday from the 30s to 50s.
Last night at the University of West London's Paragon building, overlooking the Great West Road, it tried to dazzle developers and other potential investors with its vision to regenerate the key gateway from Heathrow to central London.
As well as attracting private investment, the launch was an opportunity for the council to persuade London mayor Boris Johnson - several of whose top advisors were present - to invest in much-needed transport improvements in the area.
The council's plans involve splitting the A4 corridor into three distinct districts.
* The Blue Sky district would be centred around BSkyB's proposed campus and the former Gillette factory, the most iconic of the strip's many art deco architectural gems.
It is envisaged as a creative hub, providing 12,500 jobs on top of those within BSkyB's campus.
The old Gillette factory would be transformed into a series of large atrium spaces, bringing together a mixture of small and medium sized businesses under one roof.
A new Great West Station would connect to Crossrail at Southall by using an existing freight line for passenger services.
It would be linked to the Piccadilly line at Boston Manor tube station by a boardwalk crossing the M4 and the Grand Union Canal.
A new public square, called Gillette Green, and around 150 new homes would also be created.
* Brentford Lock North , to the north of developer ISIS's planned Brentford Lock West development, would contain a mixture of homes, shops and offices lining the Grand Union Canal.
A series of waterside brick built residential blocks would contain some 560 apartments and there would be office space for about 4,000 workers.
There would also be a new pedestrian bridge connecting a 'river bank square' straddling the waterway.
* Kew Gate , huddled around Brentford FC's new stadium just north of Kew Bridge, would include 870 new homes on top of those being built as part of the stadium development.
There would also be new shops, leisure facilities and offices, which the council claims could create around 12,200 jobs.
A new Lionel Road station would be created as part of the 'Golden Link' - a new train service from Hounslow to Willesden Junction, via the planned new Crossrail and High Speed 2 hub at Old Oak Common.
Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran said: "We're absolutely committed to the regeneration and rebirth of the Golden Mile. This is about dramatic change. We can't just rest on our laurels and have a half-hearted approach."
